1-Deamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin--an alternative in the management of mild haemophilia A and von Willebrand's disease.

Intravenous administration of 0.4 micrograms DDAVP/kg body weight in 16 normal controls, 34 patients with haemophilia A and 30 patients with von Willebrand's disease (vWd) was followed by an increase in FVIII: C from 230 to 410%, in FVIIIR:Ag from 160 to 260% and FVIIIR:RC of from 160 to 320%. Additionally, in the patients with vWd, a shortening of the bleeding time and improvement in platelet retention was observed. In 7 haemophiliacs with pretreatment levels of FVIII: C ranging from between 11 and 43% dental extractions were performed successfully after DDAVP whereas in 2 patients with FVIII: C levels of 5 and 6%, respectively, severe bleeding necessitated administration of factor VIII concentrates. In 8 haemophiliacs (FVIII: C between 6.5 and 50%) and 2 patients with vWd (FVIII: C 18 and 36%, respectively) DDAVP enabled minor surgery and successful therapy of spontaneous or traumatic bleeding complications. However, severe postoperative bleeding after stomach surgery in 2 haemophiliacs (FVIII: C 23 and 40%, respectively) and severe menstrual bleeding in one patient with vWd (FVIII: C 15%) required administration of factor VIII concentrates. At present DDAVP therapy should be restricted to minor surgery and non-life-threatening, spontaneous or traumatic bleeding complications in patients with pretreatment FVIII: C levels higher than 10%.