von Willebrand Disease: Local Diagnosis and Management of a Globally Distributed Bleeding Disorder

Welcome to another issue of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. This particular issue represents a bittersweet compilation, beginning as it does with announcements of the deaths of two remarkable men, Michael Dawson and Lothar-Bernd Zimmerhackl.

Michael Dawson did not have an association with this journal, although he did have a very close relationship to me. Michael was my wife's brother, and as such we shared various aspects of each other's lives over the past 30-plus years. Accordingly, I am dedicating this issue of Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis to Michael, his life and his memory.[1]

Lothar-Bernd Zimmerhackl did have an association with Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis, contributing several articles since 1997, and most recently was a co-guest editor on an issue about hemolytic uremic syndrome published in September 2010.[2] [3] Professor Zimmerhackl did not even get to see this issue in print, having passed away the preceding month. His fellow editor for that issue, Reinhard Würzner, accordingly presents a poignant and personal tribute to his friend and colleague Bernd in this issue.[4]

The editorial in this issue announces the most recent winners of the Eberhard F. Mammen “most popular articles” and “young investigator”' awards.[5] I apologize to these award winners in having to share their time in the spotlight with the dedication and tribute pieces in this issue. Of course all these events represent aspects of the natural course of life.

This issue presents a series of articles related to von Willebrand disease (VWD). Although Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis has published many articles related to VWD over the past decade, the journal has not featured the disorder since 2006.[6] [7]

The current compilation represents a slightly different approach format for this journal. Rather than asking contributors to provide articles discussing the various aspects of VWD, most of the current contributions reflect a similar approach, with most authors asked to discuss the diagnosis and management of VWD in their particular geographic locality. The first article provides a synopsis of both the rationale behind this unusual approach and the related content of this issue.[8] I hope readers enjoy this different perspective and that the compilation of VWD articles, representing an unprecedented number for this journal, fosters global improvements in both the diagnosis and management of the common bleeding disorder we know as von Willebrand disease.

REFERENCES

• 1 Favaloro E J. Dedication. Michael Dawson, B. Pharm. (Hon), Ph.D. (1954–2010).  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2011;  37 (5) 427-428
• 2 Wurzner R, Zimmerhackl L B. Foreword: hemolytic uremic syndrome.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2010;  36 (6) 571-572
• 3 Favaloro E J. Hemolytic uremic syndrome. Preface.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2010;  36 (6) 573-574
• 4 Würzner R. In memoriam. A tribute to Prof. Lothar-Bernd Zimmerhackl, M.D., Ph.D. (1952–2010).  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2011;  37 (5) 429-430
• 5 Favaloro E J. Editorial. 2011 Eberhard F. Mammen Award announcements.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2011;  37 (5) 431-439
• 6 Mammen E F. Laboratory issues in the identification and diagnosis of von Willebrand disease on the 80th anniversary of Erik von Willebrand's original publication.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2006;  32 (5) 443-444
• 7 Mammen E F. Preface: Hereditary von Willebrand disease and acquired von Willebrand syndrome: clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2006;  32 (5) 553-554
• 8 Favaloro E J. von Willebrand disease. Local diagnosis and management of a globally distributed bleeding disorder.  Semin Thromb Hemost. 2011;  37 (5) 440-455