A Technique for von Willebrand Multimer Analysis Applicable to the Clinical Laboratory

In type I von Willebrand disease, the whole series of von Willebrand factor multimers is present in plasma. However, in type II von Willebrand disease qual itative defects of the von Willebrand factor proteins exist. Using a novel semidry horizontal gel electrophoresis ap paratus combined with a discontinuous buffer system, high-resolution analysis of von Willebrand factor multi meric composition is possible. When applied in clinical practice, this technique allows for easy discrimination be tween type I and type II defects.