VWF platelet study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study of von Willebrand factor for moderate or severe thrombocytopenia
IRAS ID
169956
Contact name
Michael Desborough
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Blood and Transplant
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 20 days
Research summary
The aim of this pilot research is to develop an in vitro model of coagulation, to determine whether the addition of von Willebrand factor to blood samples from patients with low platelet counts normalises their platelet function (a key measure of bleeding tendency). Participants will be asked to donate a small volume of blood. The remainder of the research will all take place in a laboratory. All samples will be expected to have very abnormal platelet function because they will have been taken from patients with very low platelet counts. Platelet function tests will then be repeated on patients' whole blood samples to which intermediate purity factor VIII (a source of von Willebrand factor) has been added to see if this normalises the platelet function tests. Assays including Von Willebrand factor antigen, von Willebrand factor activity and a full blood count will be performed on both the patient's blood and on their blood after the addition of intermediate purity factor VIII.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0138
Date of REC Opinion
11 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion