Von Willebrand factor revisited

Degenerative aortic valve stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease seen in developed countries. Since the implementation of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, there has been a surge of efforts to improve procedural technique as well as reduce mortality. Until recently, the mainstay method of assessment of valve implantation as well as paravalvular regurgitation has relied heavily on imaging techniques including transesophageal echocardiography and aortic root angiography. There has been a lot of scientific inquiry to identify biomarkers in the management of patients with aortic stenosis. von Willebrand factor activity and high molecular weight multimer level assessment has emerged as an excellent biomarker with intraoperative, point of care potential. These implications can both supplement imaging modalities as well as potentially serve as a more accurate assessment TAVR complications.