Quantitative analysis of desmopressin (DDAVP) response in adult patients with type 1 von Willebrand disease

Introduction: Patients with Type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) have reduced amounts of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in their blood. Desmopressin (DDAVP) has been used to raise the blood levels of VWF in these patients. However, not all patients with Type 1 VWD are known to respond to DDAVP therapy. We sought to compare the levels of Factor VIII, VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), VWF ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCo), and fibrinogen at different time points after administration of DDAVP. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted at a single institution on 89 patients with Type 1 VWD who received a single intravenous dose of 0.3 μg/kg DDAVP. Levels of Factor VIII, VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo, and fibrinogen were measured before and then 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after completion of DDAVP administration. Results: Median levels of Factor VIII, VWF:Ag, and VWF:RCo were significantly elevated (P < 0.001) at 30 (175 IU/dL, 111 IU/dL, 127 IU/dL), 60 (218 IU/dL, 138 IU/dL, 139 IU/dL), and 90 (212 IU/dL, 134 IU/dL, 130 IU/dL) minutes time points when compared to their respective baseline values (71 IU/dL, 54 IU/dL, 54 IU/dL). At 60 minutes, 96% of subjects were responders, but three subjects failed to respond at any time point. Conclusion: Measurement of levels of Factor VIII, VWF:Ag, and VWF:RCo, optimally at 60 minutes after the DDAVP infusion, is sufficient to confirm a patient as a responder in a DDAVP challenge test. Curtailing the number of time points of measurement will result in significant savings in cost and time to patients and their providers.