Abstract

We read with interest the commentary by Rodeghiero et al [1] regarding the diagnosis of type 1 von Willebrand disease (type 1-VWD), which includes 80 to 90% of all the patients with this disorder. More than 40 years ago, Zimmerman and Edgington reported that the molecules possessing FVIII coagulant activity(FVIII:C) and von Willebrand factor(VWF) properties could be physically segregated and identified as different molecular entities.[2] This pivotal discovery made it possible to diagnose type 1-VWD and the different VWD sub-types. The advent of monoclonal antibodies, molecular biology, cell adhesion under flow conditions and transgenic animal models, amongst others, made it possible to understand the pathophysiology, the molecular diagnosis of the VWD sub-types and the treatment alternatives for this disorder.