The scientific program proposed by Pr Philippe de Moerloose (HUG Geneva - Switzerland) has gathered 650 specialists from 54 different European countries and beyond. The aim was to review the latest studies on haemorrhagic diseases (haemophilia, Willebrand disease and platelet abnormalities).
It has been proved that mortality is higher for people suffering from von Willebrand disease than for general population. Infections are clearly a high risk of early death for these people. However, impact of haemorrhagic diseases on cardio-vascular accidents or liver diseases, remains to be defined for patients under therapy or not.
"Erik von Willebrand - who was he?" was an original lecture presented at this congress. We were told that this ingenious Finnish, professor in Medicine who has given his name to one of the key factors of Haemostasis was a modest man was laughing, but never laughing at… and hated cats!
The next EAHAD congress will be held in Roma (Italy) and will be organised by Pr Mannucci (Maggiore Hospital, Milan, Italy)