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Thromb Haemost 1975; 34(02): 465-474
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1651405
Original article
Schattauer GmbH

Ristocetin in the Diagnosis of von Willebrand’s Disease: A Comparison of Rate and Percent of Aggregation with Levels of the Plasma Factor(s) Necessary for Ristocetin Aggregation

S. V Dowling
1   Department of Haematology, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
,
R. H Muntz
1   Department of Haematology, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
,
S D’Souza
1   Department of Haematology, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
,
H Ekert
1   Department of Haematology, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 23 March 1975

Accepted 02 May 1975

Publication Date:
02 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

Percent aggregation and the aggregation rate of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in response to ristocetin (1.75 mg/ml) were measured in 20 normals and 16 patients with von Willebrand’s disease (vWd), with and without the addition of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Percent aggregation did not clearly distinguish between normals and patients with vWd. Aggregation rate was normal in only 2 of 16 patients, and after incubation of PRP with ASA 1 of these 2 remained normal.

The corrective effect of dilutions of platelet poor plasma (PPP) on the ristocetin response of washed platelets (von Willebrand’s factor, vWf ) was measured in 21 normals and 12 patients with vWd. All patients with vWd had abnormal levels. There was a significant correlation between aggregation rate and vWf in patients with vWd but not in normals. Both tests appear to measure closely related defects, and the aggregation rate is as specific as the vWf level for the diagnosis of clinically affected patients.

 

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