[von Willebrand's disease and coronary atherosclerosis. Apropos of 3 cases].

The von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a link in the platelet-vessel wall interaction which plays an essential role in the response of the vessel wall to an atherosclerosis-including aggression. However, can von Willebrand's disease really prevent the development of atherosclerosis? The authors report 3 cases of young men aged 36, 40 and 51 years with atherogenic risk factors and von Willebrand's disease (two mild and one severe form). The three patients developed both atherosclerotic lesions and thrombosis. This would suggest that VWF deficiency does not protect humans from atherosclerosis.