Perioperative management of patients with von Willebrand's disease.

This review focuses on the pathophysiology of the Factor VIII molecule as it relates to Von Willebrand's disease. Three major categories of Von Willebrand's disease are identified. The perioperative diagnosis and management of all categories are reviewed. 1-Deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) is presented as an alternative to the transfusion of blood and blood products for the management of a bleeding diathesis.