Von Willebrand’s disease

Introduction to Von Willebrand’s Disease

Welcome to the Von Willebrand’s Disease subsection of the Haematology for the MSRA course.

This section is designed to provide comprehensive and structured learning materials to help you understand and master the topic of Von Willebrand’s Disease for the MSRA.


In this subsection, you will find the following resources to aid your revision:

  1. Von Willebrand’s Disease Revision Notes for MSRA: Detailed and concise traditional revision notes covering all essential aspects of Von Willebrand’s Disease, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. These notes are based on UK NICE guidelines and displayed in an easy-to-recall table format.
  2. Von Willebrand’s Disease Flashcards for MSRA: Interactive flashcards to help you memorise key facts and concepts about Von Willebrand’s Disease. These are perfect for quick reviews and reinforcing your knowledge.
  3. Von Willebrand’s Disease Accordion Q&A Notes for MSRA: A unique feature where you can test your understanding of Von Willebrand’s Disease with question-and-answer style revision notes. This format helps with active learning and retention of important information.
  4. Von Willebrand’s Disease Rapid Fire Quiz for MSRA: A short quiz to test your knowledge and recall of Von Willebrand’s Disease-related concepts. This is an excellent way to assess your progress and identify areas that need further review.

Key Points about Von Willebrand’s Disease:

  1. Definition: Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD) is a common inherited bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a protein essential for blood clotting.
  2. Causes: VWD is primarily a genetic disorder, passed down through autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance patterns. It can also be acquired due to other medical conditions, though this is rare.
  3. Symptoms: Common symptoms include easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery, and heavy menstrual bleeding in women.
  4. Diagnosis: Diagnosis involves blood tests to measure levels and function of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII, as well as bleeding time and platelet function tests.
  5. Management: Management depends on the severity of the disease. Treatments may include desmopressin (DDAVP), factor VIII concentrates containing vWF, and antifibrinolytics. For minor bleeding episodes, local measures or hormonal treatments may be used.
  6. Complications: If untreated, VWD can lead to severe bleeding complications, particularly during surgery or trauma. Heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to iron deficiency anemia in women.

We hope you find these resources helpful and engaging as you prepare for the MSRA. Make sure to explore other related topics in Haematology for the MSRA.


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Free MSRA Podcast: Von Willebrand’s Disease