The enigma of pulmonary hypertension after splenectomy--does the megakaryocyte provide a clue?
Pulmonary hypertension is a common and debilitating condition which is increasingly being recognized in haematological patients. This is particularly so in haemolytic diseases like thalassaemia and myeloproliferative conditions like idiopathic myelofibrosis. Recently, splenectomy, which may be required for some of these conditions, have been linked to this complication although the exact pathophysiology is still not established. The manuscript explains the role of the less recognized 'lung megakaryocytes' in the development of this complication.
Thachil
J
J
University of Liverpool, Prescot Road, Liverpool, L7 8XP, UK. jeckothachil@yahoo.co.uk
D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*