title: [Platelets and arterial thrombosis].
abstract: The pathological mechanisms involved in arterial thrombus formation are similar to the mechanisms involved in physiological hemostasis. Arterial thrombosis is initiated following lesion of the vessel wall, either through rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque containing lipids, adhesive proteins and tissue factor or after angioplasty exposing the thrombogenic subendothelial matrix. Platelets play a major role in arterial thrombus formation through ADP secretion and thrombin generation on their activated surface. Arterial thrombosis is a frequent complication of atherosclerotic lesions and leads to acute ischemic events. These events are therapeutic emergencies which require administration of antithrombotic drugs inhibiting platelet functions and thrombin.
authors.affiliation: Etablissement Français du Sang-Alsace, INSERM U.311, BP 36, 10 rue Spielmann-67065 Strasbourg.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cazenave
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gachet
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lanza
authors.forename: Marie-Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wiesel
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013917:Thrombin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D013917:Thrombin; D001241:Aspirin