Two methods for visualization of vWf multimers were compared with respect to sensitivity and detection of normal vWf and vWd variants IIA, IIB, IIC, IID, IIE, and IIF. Autoradiography and luminography after electrotransfer of vWf multimers onto nitrocellulose showed comparable sensitivity with vWf:Ag detectable after 1:500 dilution of normal plasma. The least sensitive method was luminography in agarose gels with vWf:Ag detectable after 1:300 dilution of normal plasma. No difference existed in the banding patterns of plasmas from patients with variant vWd.