Elevated levels of von Willebrand factor are associated with maintained normal primary haemostasis in thrombocytopenic patients with liver cirrhosis

Introduction: Primary haemostasis is characterized by the von Willebrand factor mediated adhesion of platelets to subendothelial structures. In patients with liver cirrhosis thrombocytopenia, as well as increased vWF, is common, while the prevalence of concomitant thrombocytopathy is still discussed. In this study on cirrhotic patients we assessed the presence of thrombocytopathy in patients with normal thrombocytes and the influence of elevated von Willebrand factor on primary haemostasis in thrombocytopenic patients using the platelet function analyzer PFA-100. Patients and Methods: In 57 patients who were eva…