When von Willebrand disease comes into age - a matter of change?

The population of elderly patients with von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is growing because of the improvement of medical care. The increase in comorbidities and their treatment as well as standard preventive measures like antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy constitutes a challenge in the overall treatment of patients with coagulation disorders. Because of the lack of literature on older patients with VWD, we discuss different aspects related to ageing in those patients. Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII, bleeding symptoms, treatment requirements and comorbidities are possibly changing with age. Development of an evidence-based approach to the management of ageing VWD patients is therefore necessary.