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Comprehensive Analysis of Procoagulant Platelets Exhibiting Features of Necrosis, Apoptosis and Platelet Activation
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Comprehensive Analysis of Procoagulant Platelets Exhibiting Features of Necrosis, Apoptosis and Platelet Activation

Published on: May 23, 2025

Platelet count and the risk for thrombosis and death in the elderly

J G van der Bom1, S R Heckbert, T Lumley

  • 1Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. j.g.vanderbom@lumc.nl

Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis : JTH
|January 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Platelet counts did not predict vascular events like heart attack or stroke. However, both low and high platelet counts were linked to increased non-cardiovascular mortality, including cancer deaths.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Hematology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis and thrombosis.
  • The association between platelet count and various health outcomes, particularly in older adults, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between platelet count and the incidence of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and venous thrombosis.
  • To examine the association between platelet count and all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular mortality in community-dwelling older adults.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 5766 community-dwelling individuals aged 65 years and older.
  • Platelet counts were measured at baseline and during follow-up.
  • Outcomes including vascular events and mortality were tracked over 12-15 years.

Main Results:

  • Platelet count was not significantly associated with the incidence of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or venous thrombosis.
  • No association was found between platelet count and cardiovascular mortality.
  • Both low (<100 x 10(9) L(-1)) and high (>400 x 10(9) L(-1)) platelet counts were associated with increased non-cardiovascular mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Platelet count is not a reliable predictor of vascular outcomes in older adults.
  • Abnormal platelet counts (both low and high) are associated with increased non-cardiovascular mortality, suggesting a broader role in overall health and disease.
Abstract

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