Volume 349:323-325 July 24, 2003 Number 4

Aortic Stenosis, von Willebrand Factor, and Bleeding

J. Evan Sadler, M.D., Ph.D.

Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract consisting of the first 100 words and any section headings.

Some patients with aortic stenosis have recurrent bleeding into their skin or gastrointestinal tract. Several studies suggest that this bleeding is caused by an acquired defect in von Willebrand factor and that replacement of the aortic valve restores the normal structure of von Willebrand factor and restores normal hemostasis. However, we know little about the prevalence of symptomatic defects in von Willebrand factor in patients with aortic stenosis. In this issue of the Journal, Vincentelli and colleagues (pages 343–349) address this question and provide new information about the response of such hemostatic abnormalities to valve replacement.

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