Test Overview
sDS Gel Electrophoresis
Useful for detecting variant forms of von Willebrand disease and confirmation of diagnosis.
Interpretive report provided.
Double-centrifuged specimens are critical for accurate results as platelet contamination may cause spurious results. The multimeric analysis for vWD cannot separate normal from type I vWD. A negative result does not rule out vWD, but a positive one is diagnostic of type II vWD and variants.
Test Details
7 - 10 days
- Factor to sDS Gel Polymers
- sDS Gel Electrophoresis
- von Willebrand Factor Polymers
- PLYM
- VON WILLEBRAND FACTOR MULTIMER
Specimen Requirements
Collect specimen in blue top (citrate) tube. Centrifuge specimen and aliquot citrate platelet-poor plasma into a plastic tube. Centrifuge plasma again and aliquot platelet-poor plasma into 2 plastic vials (no glass); vials should contain a minimum of 0.5 ml each. Freeze plasma immediately at <40 degrees C. Transport frozen specimen on dry ice. Specimen should be collected prior to coagulation factor replacement therapy. Proper collection and handling of specimens is critical; see Coagulation tab of the handbook to ensure that the proper technique is used. Please provide Factor VIII Assay, von Willebrand Factor Activity (Ristocetin Co-Factor), and von Willebrand Factor Antigen (Factor VIII Related Antigen) results from the same specimen collection if available.
Additional Information
Von Willebrand Factor Activity (ristocetin co-factor) and von Willebrand Factor Antigen (factor VIII related antigen) results from the same collection date and time as the specimen submitted are required before performing this assay. If already assayed, please submit numerical results. If these results are not submitted the assays will be performed by MLabs at an additional charge. If available, also submit results for Factor VIII Assay. Test sent to Mayo Medical Laboratories. Specific requests for von Willebrand multimer analysis only will be referred to BloodCenter of Wisconsin.