A disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 motifs 13 (ADAMTS13) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) are associated with the pathophysiology of liver cirrhosis and HCC through their roles in hypercoagulability; they are also associated with angiogenesis <i>via</i> vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
We analysed different parameters of VWF, including detailed multimer distribution by densitometry and platelet adhesion, together with <u>a</u><u>d</u>isintegrin-like <u>a</u>nd <u>m</u>etalloproteinase with <u>t</u>hrombo<u>s</u>pondin type-1 motifs <u>13</u> (ADAMTS13) activity and antigen and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with ST cirrhosis (<i>n</i> = 99), with AD (<i>n</i> = 54) and controls (<i>n</i> = 92).
ADAMTS13:AC decreased with increasing severity of liver disease (controls means 100%, CH 87%, Child A-LC 79%, Child B-LC 63%, and Child C-LC 31%), and showed severe deficiency (<3% of controls) in five end-stage LC.