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Thromb Haemost 1981; 46(04): 714-716
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1653459
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Autopsy Findings in an Elderly Man Suffering from Severe von Willebrand’s Disease

Leslie M Kernoff
The Department of Haematology, University of Cape Town Medical School, Cape Town, South Africa
,
Alan G Rose
*   The Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town Medical School, Cape Town, South Africa
,
Jane Hughes
The Department of Haematology, University of Cape Town Medical School, Cape Town, South Africa
,
Peter Jacobs
The Department of Haematology, University of Cape Town Medical School, Cape Town, South Africa
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 08 September 1981

Accepted 29 September 1981

Publication Date:
05 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

A platelet derived growth factor released following platelet adhesion to the subendothelium of damaged arteries may promote the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Consequently patients with von Willebrand’s disease in whom platelet adhesion is abnormal may be protected from atherosclerosis. This possibility was investigated by performing an autopsy study on an elderly patient who had suffered from severe von Willebrand’s disease. Extensive atherosclerotic lesions were found at post mortem suggesting that platelets may not play a clinically significant role in the causation of atherosclerosis

Keywords

von Willebrand’s disease - Atherosclerosis
 

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