title: Pivotal role of platelets in critical illness: evidence behind clinical interventions.
abstract: Arteriosclerosis, chronic renal failure, and diabetes are all diseases in which the platelet cycle plays an important role. Effective interventions for these diseases are emerging from vascular biology in general and from the study of platelets in particular. Platelet cell processes are powerful modulators of immunology, thrombosis, fibrinolysis, and angiogenic responses. Platelet active drugs intervene in platelet activation, adhesion, aggregation, and secretion. The purpose of this article is to link the unfolding of platelet cell processes and the impact of platelet active medication therapy to the care of critically ill patients with selected diseases.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama Hospital, Box 870358, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA. acollins@bama.ua.edu
authors.forename: Angela S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors