title: The Role of Platelets in Venous Thromboembolism.
abstract: Multiple factors contribute to the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Platelets have attracted much interest in arterial cardiovascular disease, whereas their role in VTE has received much less attention. Recent evidence suggests that platelets may play a more important role in VTE than previously anticipated. This review discusses the mechanisms that link platelets with venous thrombotic disease and their potential applications as novel risk factors for VTE. In addition, animal studies and randomized clinical trials that highlight the potential effect of antiplatelet therapy in venous thrombosis are evaluated to assess the role of platelets in VTE. The clinical significance of platelets for VTE risk assessment in specific patient cohorts and their role as a suitable therapeutic target for VTE prevention is acknowledged. The role of platelets in VTE is a promising field for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Risk, Faculty of Health Sciences, UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Campus de los Jerónimos, Guadalupe, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montoro-García
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Medicine, University Hospital Bern, Swiss Cardiovascular Center, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schindewolf
authors.affiliation: Department of Haemophilia, Haemostasis and Thrombosis, North Hampshire NHS Trust, Basingstoke, Hampshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stanford
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Centre for Hemophilia and Thrombosis, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ole Halfdan
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thiele
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins