Is the activated partial thromboplastin time suitable to screen for von Willebrand factor deficiencies?

The diagnostic approach to von Willebrand factor deficiencies is challenging and requires discretionary use of laboratory resources. Although extensive preoperative testing is not recommended, the activated partial thromboplastin time may be useful, especially in selected categories of patients. To establish the diagnostic sensitivity of this test to identify isolate von Willebrand factor deficiencies, 204 consecutive patients underwent a routine preoperative screening consisting of activated partial thromboplastin time, von Willebrand factor antigen, intrinsic pathway clotting factors activity, lupus anticoagulants and thrombin time. Thirty-seven patients were diagnosed with haemostasis disturbances other than von Willebrand factor deficiencies and were excluded from the evaluation. Isolated von Willebrand factor deficiency was diagnosed in 11 of the remaining 167 patients. A significant correlation was observed between von Willebrand factor antigen and activated partial thromboplasti...