Thrombocytic alpha-delta-storage-pool-disease: shortening of bleeding timeafter infusion of 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin

Background: The synthetic vasopressin derivate desmopressin (1-desamino-8-D -arginine vasopressin) has been reported to shorten the bleeding time in pa tients with hemophilia Al von Willebrand's disease and several functional p latelet disorders. In addition to substitution of platelets, vasopressin is therefore used to prevent bleeding complications. Case: We report the case of a 14-year-old female patient with prolonged ble eding time due to the rare thrombocytic alpha-delta-storage-pool-disease. W hen normal donor platelet substitution alone was ineffective, bleeding time was normalised after infusion of desmopressin and elective wisdom-tooth ex traction was performed without significant postoperative bleeding. Discussion: Infusion of desmopressin appears to be effective in shortening bleeding time in thrombocytic storage-pool-disease. Its use could prevent b leeding complications after trauma and surgical interventions and may possi bly help to spare the need for platelet concentrates.