What condition is characterized by excessive bleeding due to impaired platelet function?

What condition is characterized by excessive bleeding due to impaired platelet function?

• A. Hemophilia
• B. Von Willebrand disease
• C. Thrombocytopenia
• D. Aplastic anemia

Answer: (B)

Von Willebrand disease is a bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor, which is a protein essential for platelet adhesion. In this condition, even though the platelet count may be normal, the ability of platelets to adhere to sites of vascular injury is impaired, leading to excessive bleeding. This impaired function is particularly significant during situations where rapid platelet aggregation is necessary to stop bleeding. In von Willebrand disease, the abnormal function of this factor affects the formation of the clot because it’s crucial for the initial step of hemostasis, where platelets stick to the damaged blood vessel and each other. Consequently, patients often experience symptoms like easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, and prolonged bleeding after cuts or dental work. The interplay between von Willebrand factor and platelets highlights why this condition prominently features excessive bleeding due to impaired platelet function.

Von Willebrand disease is a bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor, which is a protein essential for platelet adhesion. In this condition, even though the platelet count may be normal, the ability of platelets to adhere to sites of vascular injury is impaired, leading to excessive bleeding. This impaired function is particularly significant during situations where rapid platelet aggregation is necessary to stop bleeding.

In von Willebrand disease, the abnormal function of this factor affects the formation of the clot because it’s crucial for the initial step of hemostasis, where platelets stick to the damaged blood vessel and each other. Consequently, patients often experience symptoms like easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, and prolonged bleeding after cuts or dental work. The interplay between von Willebrand factor and platelets highlights why this condition prominently features excessive bleeding due to impaired platelet function.