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Platelets, coagulation, and fibrinolysis in sickle cell disease: their possible role in vascular occlusion

R B Francis1

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033.

Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis : an International Journal in Haemostasis and Thrombosis
|April 11, 1991
PubMed

Recent evidence suggests that sickle cell disease (SCD) can be considered a hypercoagulable state, in which both platelet activation and thrombin generation are abnormally increased. Although thrombosis is now known to play an important role in at least one of the vasocclusive complications of SCD, namely stroke, the significance of hypercoagulability in the pathogenesis of vascular occlusion in SCD remains unclear. This review summarizes current evidence regarding platelet, coagulation, and fibrinolytic abnormalities in SCD and their possible role in vascular occlusion. Potential implications for therapy are also discussed.

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