INCREASED FACTOR-VIII-VONWILLEBRAND FACTOR ANTIGEN AND VONWILLEBRAND FACTOR ACTIVITY IN RENAL-FAILURE

Factor VIII/von Willebrand factor antigen and von Willebrand factor activity (ristocetin assay) were studied in 12 patients in renal failure. A dramatic increase in both activities was observed (antigen 315 ± 30 per cent in patients versus 104 ± 9 per cent in control subjects; activity 402 ± 48 per cent in patients versus 111 ± 5 per cent in control subjects; p < 0.001 for both). Since von Willebrand factor is thought to play at least a facilitative role in the development of arteriosclerosis, these increased activities may contribute to the premature arteriosclerosis reported in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis. © 1979.