Vol 4, No 1 (2013)
Review paper
Published online: 2013-04-10
Thrombocytosis and thromboembolic complications
Hematologia 2013;4(1):43-50.
Abstract
Thrombocytosis is usually due to infection, infl ammation or other causes connected with increased production of thrombopoietin. For most patients it is transient and benign phenomenon without
thromboembolic complications with no need for cytoreductive or antiplatelet therapy. Thrombocytosis can also be caused by myeloproliferative neoplasms like essential thrombocythemia (ET) or
polycythemia vera (PV), involving a defect of hematopoietic stem cells. Pathogenesis of thrombotic complications which comprise the main source of mortality in ET and PV is very complex. Dysfunction
of platelets, increased activation of leukocytes, hyperviscosity of blood, pathological activation of coagulation system and endothelium are among most recognized causes. The role of JAK2V617F mutation in thrombosis development is under active research. The therapy options are based on
the results of few randomized trials and depend mainly on patients stratifi cation according to thrombotic risk.
thromboembolic complications with no need for cytoreductive or antiplatelet therapy. Thrombocytosis can also be caused by myeloproliferative neoplasms like essential thrombocythemia (ET) or
polycythemia vera (PV), involving a defect of hematopoietic stem cells. Pathogenesis of thrombotic complications which comprise the main source of mortality in ET and PV is very complex. Dysfunction
of platelets, increased activation of leukocytes, hyperviscosity of blood, pathological activation of coagulation system and endothelium are among most recognized causes. The role of JAK2V617F mutation in thrombosis development is under active research. The therapy options are based on
the results of few randomized trials and depend mainly on patients stratifi cation according to thrombotic risk.
Keywords: thrombocytosisthromboembolic complicationspathogenesistreatment
