Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026

A Fibrin-Enriched and tPA-Sensitive Photothrombotic Stroke Model
Published on: June 4, 2021
Serious reversible thrombotic complications of thrombocytosis in myeloid leukaemia
T T Timonen1, M Hakala, H Syrjälä
1Department of Internal Medicine, Oulu University Central Hospital, SF-90220, Oulu, 22, Finland.
Thrombosis and haemorrhage are major causes of morbidity in patients with myeloproliferative diseases. However, in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) these complications are less likely to occur. Therefore aggressive lowering of the platelet count has not been recommended in asymptomatic patients with CML. We describe 2 patients, 1 with acute myeloid leukaemia in remission and the other with CML in accelerated phase, in whom severe intracranial thrombotic complications unexpectedly developed: blindness in the former and brain stem damage with deep unconsciousness in the latter. During already ongoing cytostatic treatment both of them recovered dramatically, which seemed to have a temporal relationship to the reduction of their platelet counts. We consider that the thrombotic events in these patients were due to their high platelet counts and recommend treatment for symptomatic thrombocytosis.
Thrombosis and haemorrhage are major causes of morbidity in patients with myeloproliferative diseases. However, in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) these complications are less likely to occur. Therefore aggressive lowering of the platelet count has not been recommended in asymptomatic patients with CML. We describe 2 patients, 1 with acute myeloid leukaemia in remission and the other with CML in accelerated phase, in whom severe intracranial thrombotic complications unexpectedly developed: blindness in the former and brain stem damage with deep unconsciousness in the latter. During already ongoing cytostatic treatment both of them recovered dramatically, which seemed to have a temporal relationship to the reduction of their platelet counts. We consider that the thrombotic events in these patients were due to their high platelet counts and recommend treatment for symptomatic thrombocytosis.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Disorders of Hemostasis
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Disorders of Leukocytes
Leukopenia may result from bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. For example, conditions such as multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia can impair the bone marrow's ability to produce adequate leukocytes. Similarly, autoimmune diseases like lupus and viral infections such as HIV can prompt the immune system...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

