Acquired von Willebrand Syndrome in Aortic Stenosis

Aortic-valve stenosis can be complicated by bleeding that is associated with acquired type 2A von Willebrand syndrome. However, the prevalence and cause of the hemostatic abnormality in aortic stenosis are unknown.

We enrolled 50 consecutive patients with aortic stenosis, who completed a standardized screening questionnaire to detect a history of bleeding. Forty-two patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent valve replacement. Platelet function under conditions of high shear stress, von Willebrand factor collagen-binding activity and antigen levels, and the multimeric structure of von Willebrand factor were assessed at base line and one day, seven days, and six months postoperatively.