Laboratory Medicine Program

von Willebrand Factor (vWF) Multimers
(vWF Multimers)

Clinical Decription:
von Willebrand factor (vWF) normally circulates in plasma as a series of increasing molecular weight multimers ranging from 2-20 million daltons in weight. Visualization of the distribution of multimers allows qualitative assessment of this protein. Various subtypes of von Willebrand disease show characteristic alterations in the distribution of the vWF multimers.

Method: Electrophoresis; Sebia Hydrasys

Component Tests Used: Factor VIII, vWF Activity,vWF Antigen, vWF Multimers

Reference Ranges Used:
Normal distribution

Specimen Type: Citrated plasma
Collected In: 3.2% Sodium Citrate
Volume: 2 x 1.0 mL (minimum: 2 x 1.0 mL)

Shipping: Send frozen on dry ice.

Special Instructions: Patient should be fasting, if possible. The specimen must be double-centrifuged to obtain a platelet-poor plasma specimen (Plt <10x10E9/L): 1. Immediately centrifuge specimen at 1500xG for 10 minutes. 2. Separate the plasma from the platelet/buffy coat and transfer into a clean plastic tube. 3. Centrifuge the separated plasma at 1500xG for 10 minutes. 4. Transfer 1.0 to 2.0 mL of the double-centrifuged plasma into a clean plastic tube, leaving approx. 200 uL for discard. 5. Freeze plasma aliquot immediately for storage. Maintain frozen for shipping and handling.

Testing Schedule(s): Monthly.

Turnaround Time: 30 days

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For more information, call 416.340.5227 or 1.866.865.5227

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