title: New insights into the mechanisms of venous thrombosis.
abstract: Venous thrombosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries, especially in the elderly. Many risk factors have been identified for venous thrombosis that alter blood flow, activate the endothelium, and increase blood coagulation. However, the precise mechanisms that trigger clotting in large veins have not been fully elucidated. The most common site for initiation of the thrombus appears to be the valve pocket sinus, due to its tendency to become hypoxic. Activation of endothelial cells by hypoxia or possibly inflammatory stimuli would lead to surface expression of adhesion receptors that facilitate the binding of circulating leukocytes and microvesicles. Subsequent activation of the leukocytes induces expression of the potent procoagulant protein tissue factor that triggers thrombosis. Understanding the mechanisms of venous thrombosis may lead to the development of new treatments.
authors: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, UNC McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. nmackman@med.unc.edu
authors: Nigel
authors: N
authors: Mackman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D004727:Endothelium / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012307:Risk Factors; D013925:Thromboplastin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014680:Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D055422:Venous Valves / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D013925:Thromboplastin