Acquired Von Willebrand Disease
Acquired vWD can occur in patients with autoantibodies. In this case the function of vWF is not inhibited but the vWF-antibody complex is rapidly cleared from the circulation.
A form of vWD occurs in patients with aortic valve stenosis, leading to gastrointestinal bleeding (Heyde's syndrome). This form of acquired vWD may be more prevalent than is presently thought. In 2003 Vincentelli et al. noted that patients with acquired vWD and aortic stenosis who underwent valve replacement experienced a correction of their hemostatic abnormalities but that the hemostatic abnormalities can recur after 6 months when the prosthetic valve is a poor match with the patient.
Thrombocythemia is another cause of acquired von Willebrand disease, due to sequestration of von Willebrand factor via the adhesion of vast numbers of platelets.
Acquired vWD has also been described in the following disorders: Wilms' tumour, hypothyroidism and mesenchymal dysplasias.
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