Decreased adhesion of platelets to subendothelium in von Willebrand's disease.

Abstract The adhesion of platelets in flowing blood to the subendothelial surface of rabbit aorta was studied by a quantitative, in vitro method. Platelet adhension was significantly decreased in 5 patients with von Willebrand's disease. Impaired adhesion of platelets to some component of the blood vessel wall may account for the prolonged bleeding time in these patients.