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Updated: May 17, 2026

Investigating von Willebrand Factor Pathophysiology Using a Flow Chamber Model of von Willebrand Factor-platelet String Formation
Published on: August 14, 2017
Updates on Von Willebrand Disease Testing
Eric Salazar1, Russell A Higgins1
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
None:
von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is the most common heritable bleeding disorder worldwide and arises from quantitative or qualitative deficiencies of von Willebrand Factor (VWF). VWF is a multimeric protein essential for primary hemostasis and factor VIII stabilization. Diagnosis of VWD requires integration of bleeding history and laboratory testing. Traditional laboratory assays, such as ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo) are increasingly being replaced by newer methods with improved analytical performance, including VWF:GPIbM and VWF:GPIbR. Advances in multimer analysis, Collagen Binding, and genetic testing are further refining the approach to VWD subtype classification. This review summarizes recent diagnostic innovations.
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