Desmopressin can shorten bleeding time in bleeding disorders due to which conditions?

• A. Liver disease
• B. Kidney disease
• C. Both liver and kidney disease
• D. Neither

Answer: (C)

Desmopressin works by triggering release of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII from endothelial storage sites, which boosts platelet adhesion to the damaged vessel and enhances the initial clot formation. In kidney disease, uremic platelets function poorly and don’t stick well, so increasing vWF and FVIII helps restore adhesion and shorten bleeding time. In liver-related bleeding disorders, the overall clotting factor balance is disrupted, but giving more vWF and FVIII can transiently improve hemostasis, especially when the issue involves platelet function or mild factor VIII deficiency. Together, these effects explain why desmopressin can shorten bleeding time in bleeding disorders associated with both kidney and liver disease.