[Tendency to thrombosis following bone marrow transplantation?]

Various thrombosis related parameters of the hemostatic system were evaluated in 11 patients who had had bone marrow transplantation (BMT). At 0, 1, 3 and 6 months after BMT, antithrombin III, heparin cofactor II, protein S (PS), factor VIII:C, von Willebrand factor (vWF:Ag, vWF:RiCof), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor, thrombin antithrombin III complexes (TAT), d-dimers (DD) and antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) were determined. A statistically significant rise in the levels of vWF was observed after BMT, with a similar trend for tPA. High TAT and/or DD were detected in 10/11 patients and positive APA only in 5/11. Of the other parameters only free PS was permanently low, with normal total PS and C4bBP. These findings suggest persistent thrombin generation peri- and post-BMT. The significantly high vWF and the low free PS could foster a procoagulant state.