Desmopressin Enhances Procoagulant Activity in Patients with Platelet-Function Defects

Desmopressin, an analogue of vasopressin, stimulates the release of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII. It is used clinically to treat patients with mild-to-moderate von Willebrand disease and hemophilia and has been shown to improve hemostasis in those with platelet-function defects. However, the mechanism underlying its effects in these disorders is unclear.

To study alterations in platelet function induced by desmopressin, Swiss investigators analyzed blood samples from 93 patients with normal platelet numbers but mild-to-moderate decreases in activity. After infusion with desmopressin (0.3 µg/kg), they observed the following:

• Von Willebrand factor and factor VIII increased more than twofold.

• Platelet α-granule secretion and glycoprotein…