Review of von Willebrand Disease and Acquired von Willebrand Syndrome for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

The etiology of bleeding during cardiac surgery is multifactorial and includes both surgical and hematologic causes. When evaluating a patient with a known bleeding disorder for cardiac surgery, it is important to understand the mechanism that prevents the formation of adequate clotting. In the case of von Willebrand disease (vWD), there is either a quantitative or qualitative deficiency of a multimeric glycoprotein called von Willebrand factor (vWF).

This factor is essential for hemostasis after a vascular injury and supports the interaction between platelets and plateletvessel surfaces. The ability to control intraoperative and postoperative bleeding in a patient with vWD undergoing cardiac surgery is crucial for a positive surgical outcome. Thus, understanding the mechanism of vWD and the treatment options available for vWD is essential for guiding the care of these patients.