title: [Vascular complications of polycythemia].
abstract: The vascular risk factors of patients with polycythemia rubra vera was assessed by reviewing the results of international therapeutic studies. The risk factors were: an age over 60, previous vascular problems, the quality of follow-up (maintenance of hematocrit below 50 p. cent and platelet count below (600.10(9)/l). The treatment is one of the most important factors: the risk of vascular complications was three times greater in patients treated by venesection, al other factors being equal. This counter-balanced the higher risk of leukemia in patients treated by myelo-depression. The use of platelet anti-agregant drugs remains controversial. Recent results question their efficacy in preventing thrombosis and emphasise the risk of hemorrhage. The results of platelet factor 4 (PF4) and beta-thromboglobin (beta TG) levels provide further information for judging the vascular risk of these patients, and may, in prospective studies, give a better assessment of the efficacy of platelet anti-agregant drugs in vivo.
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000032:analysis; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D012306:Risk; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D010978:Platelet Factor 4
vernacular_title: Accidents vasculaires dans la polyglobulie.