[Combined Valvular Disease with Suspected Acquired von Willebrand Syndrome]

A 73-year-old female was referred to our department for surgical treatment of combined rheumatic valvular disease. She had undergone percutaneous transluminal mitral commissurotomy 29 years before. She underwent double valve replacement with bioprosthetic valves and tricuspid annuloplasty combined with left atrial appendectomy for chronic atrial fibrillation. Because of remarkable bleeding following surgery, rapid blood transfusion and re-thoracotomy were immediately performed. However, the bleeding persisted even after re-thoracotomy, and acquired von Willebrand syndrome due to valvular disease was suspected. Von Willebrand factor/factor Ⅷ preparation was administered, and bleeding promptly became under control. Recently, acquired von Willebrand syndrome due to valvular disease has attracted attention. We need to keep it in mind during perioperative management for patients with valvular disease.