Introduction Complement is an elaborate system that participates in the innate immune response. Mutations and autoantibodies leading to unregulated complement activation are implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases. Among them, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical…
Introduction Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is one of the most devastating thrombotic disorders of humans and carries a mortality rate of about 90% if untreated. Even with current state-of-the art therapy, mortality has not improved significantly over the past 3…
Introduction Patients with cancer are highly susceptible to venous thromboembolism (VTE), as well as arterial thromboembolic events, complications that contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality of the disease. There is an abundance of epidemiologic evidence to support the close-knit…
Pathophysiology of Arterial Thrombosis In general, venous thrombosis is caused by disturbances in the plasma coagulation system, with platelet participation playing a minor role, whereas in arterial thrombosis, platelets play the major role with limited participation of the plasma coagulation…
The evolution of cardiovascular (CV) medicine has flourished with advancements in our understanding of vascular biology, hemostasis, and thrombosis. Pharmacotherapies for the prevention and treatment of coronary atherothrombosis are the end results of several decades of investigation, highlighted by robust…
Introduction The first studies identifying what would eventually become known as antiphospholipid antibodies appeared in the 1950s, in patients with biologic false-positive tests for syphilis who also exhibited unusual coagulation test results consistent with the presence of a “circulating anticoagulant.”…
Introduction Thrombocytosis is defined as a platelet count greater than 450,000/µL, which is typically considered the upper limit of the normal laboratory reference range of 150,000 to 450,000 Thrombocytosis is most frequently detected as an incidental laboratory abnormality, and subsequently…
Synopsis Postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) is the most common complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). After an episode of proximal DVT, 20% to 50% of patients develop PTS and 5% to 10% of patients develop severe PTS, a condition that reduces…
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are the most commonly encountered examples of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Given the frequency of both DVT and PE, treatment is guided by the results of randomized clinical trials. DVT and PE are…
Epidemiology Venous thromboembolism (VTE), whose principal clinical manifestations include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. The annual incidence of VTE has been estimated to be 104 to 183 per 100,000…