Lab Guide
A B C D E F
G H I J K L
M N O P Q R
S T U V W X
Y Z #

Test ID: vWF Activity
Von Willebrand Factor Activity
Useful For

Measurement of VWF activity as a part of  the diagnosis of VWD and its classification .Also in the differentiation of VWD from Hemophilia A.

Method name and description

Latex (Immunogenic)
Test is performed using Sysmex CS5100 analyzer. The assay principle makes use of the binding of VWF to its receptor Glycoprotein Ib (GPIb). (GP Ib) is the main VWF receptor on platelets. Polystyrene particles are coated with an antibody against (GPIb). Recombinant GPIb (two gain-of-function mutations included) is added and binds to the antibody as well as to the VWF of the sample. Due to the gain-of –function mutations, VWF binding to GPIb does not require ristocetin. This VWF binding induce a particle agglutination which can be measured as increase in extinction by turbidimetric measurements.

Reporting name

Von Willebrand Factor Activity(VWF Ac)

Clinical information

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is synthesized by the endothelial cell and megakaryocyte and is present in these cells, as well as in platelets, subendothelial tissue, and plasma. VWF is a multimeric, high-molecular glycoprotein involved in primary hemostasis, supporting platelet adhesion and aggregation via binding to the platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) receptor under shear stress at the site of injury. Furthermore, VWF is the specific carrier protein of FVIII, protecting FVIII against inactivation and rapid clearance.
Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is the most frequent congenital human bleeding disorder and is caused by a reduction or dysfunction of von Willebrand Factor (VWF). 

VWD is an autosomal inherited disorder of three different types: type 1 (partial quantitative deficiency of VWF), type 2 (qualitative VWF defects) and type 3 (almost complete deficiency of VWF). VWD type 2 can be further sub-typed into 2A, 2B, and 2M based on their different multimeric pattern and/or altered platelet affinity. Type 2N is characterized by a reduced FVIII binding activity with otherwise normal functionality. These variants are differentiated on the basis of a series of laboratory tests for VWF activity, VWF antigen, platelet function testing (PFA Systems), FVIII activity, platelet count, and VWF multimer analysis.  Von Willebrand Disease can also occur as an acquired bleeding disorder. Bleeding symptoms in all types of VWD are primarily mucosal, including epistaxis, menorrhagia, gastrointestinal bleeding, and ease of bruising, but surgical or posttraumatic bleeding can also occur.

Specimen type / Specimen volume / Specimen container

Plasma Na Cit. Platelet-poor plasma.
Specimen Volume:  2.7 ml.
Container/Tube: Light-blue top (citrate)

Collection instructions / Special Precautions / Timing of collection

Sample collected in  HMC facilities/others and transported to the lab within 1hour :
• Collect sample into light blue-top (sodium citrate).
• Tubes must be filled to  the mark on the tube side to provide a 9:1 ratio of blood to citrate.
2- Samples collected in  HMC facilities  / others  and which are   expected not to reach the lab within  1hour:

• Centrifuge the whole blood at 1500-2000g (approximately 3000-4000rpm) for 10 minutes at room temperature and carefully remove the plasma by pipette not by decanting   and send the plasma  in a temperature-controlled environment (18-25ºC ) within one hour of centrifugation.
3-  If the transportation of  the plasma can’t be within a maximum of  2hour , prepare platelet-poor plasma  as follow:
A: Re-centrifuge plasma again.
B: Remove the top portion of plasma leaving approximately 250 mcL in the bottom to discard.
C: The double-centrifuged plasma should be aliquoted (0.5 to 1 mL per aliquot) into labeled plastic tubes. The number of tests ordered will determine the aliquots needed.
D: Freeze the separated plasma  immediately at -20 ºC or below  .
E: Specimens must arrive frozen.                                                                                                                                                                               
4- Consider patient HCT %. , if  HCT >55%, the volume of anticoagulant in the tube must  be adjusted by the referring  lab, as per  the below table shows the volume of citrate (µL) to be removed from common sizes of coagulation specimen tubes prior to specimen collection. After removal of the specified volume of citrate, enough blood is added to fill the tube to the ideal volume. 

Hematocrit % Volume to be removed, µL
2.7 ml Tube 1.0 ml Tube
56 50 20
57 50 20
58 60 20
59 60 20
60 70 30
61 70 30
62 80 30
63 80 30
64 90 30
65 90 30
66 100 40
67 100 40
68 110 40
69 110 40
70 120 40
71 120 40
72 130 50
73 130 50
74 140 50
75 140 50
76 150 50
77 150 60
78 160 60
79 160 60
80 170 60
Relevant clinical information to be provided

Patient's blood group O and Non O. Patient/family history of bleeding  disorder. History of anticoagulant therapy. History of chronic diseases

Storage and transport instructions

Ambient

Specimen Rejection Criteria

Specimens with no label or missing required identification
Broken, leaking or contaminated specimen
Clotted samples 
Under-filled or overfilled sample tubes.
Wrong sample container sample received
Improper specimen transport temperature (e.g. like specimens which are  needed to be sent on ice)
Old specimen (test-dependent) 
Grossly Hemolyzed sample (test-dependent)

Biological reference intervals and clinical decision values

Reference ranges:

Blood group O: 43.6-140.5%

Blood group Non-O: 63.3 – 199.7%

Normal, full term born infants may have mildly increased levels which reach adult levels by 90 days. Healthy, premature infants (30-36 weeks gestation) may have increased levels that reach adult levels by 180 days.
Individuals of blood group O may have lower plasma VWF activity than those of other ABO blood groups, such that apparently normal individuals of blood group O may have plasma VWF activity as low as 40% to 50%, whereas the lower limit of the reference range for individuals of other blood groups may be 60% to 70%.

Factors affecting test performance and result interpretation

No interference up to:

Triglycerides     889 mg/dL
Hemoglobin    1000 mg/dL
Bilirubin     60 mgl/dL

Turnaround time / Days and times test performed / Specimen retention time

For routine ordered test : 3 working days

For stat ordered test :

  • During the Laboratory working hours from 0700 hours to 1500 hours (Sunday to Thursday): TAT is Within 8hrs.
  • After duty hours, weekends and on holidays: TAT is within  12 hrs. with the following requirements:
  • Laboratory should  be notified by telephone about the sending  of a STAT sample.
  • The sample should  be hand-delivered to the central processing area and requesting  them to deliver it immediately to the hematology coagulation lab.

 Test is done : Daily.

Specimen retention time: NA