Treatment of von Willebrand's Disease

Desmopressin (1-deamine-8-D-arginine vasopressin [DDAVP]) is the mainstay of therapy for most patients with mild von Willebrand disease. DDAVP causes a 2-4-fold increase in plasma von Willebrand factor and FVIII concentrations in healthy responsive individuals.

DDAVP can be used to treat bleeding complications or to prepare patients with von Willebrand disease for surgery.

In type IIB von Willebrand disease, DDAVP may cause a paradoxical drop in the platelet count and should not be used without prior testing.