Sticky platelet syndrome: an important cause of life-threatening thrombotic complications

Sticky platelet syndrome (SPS) is a prothrombotic thrombocytopathy with familial occurrence, characterized by hyperaggregability of platelets in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), epinephrine (EPI) or both. The syndrome has been identified in approximately 21% of unexplained arterial thrombotic episodes, regarded to be the most common thrombophilia in arterial thrombosis and 13.2% of unexplained venous thromboembolism (VTE). The relatively young age at the first manifestation, relation to fertility and pregnancy, seriousness of the symptoms, easy and effective management of the disorder indicate to the necessity to take it into account in the differential diagnosis of the underlying cause of the thrombotic event. As the various localizations of the thrombosis in SPS have been reported, its management often requires a multidisciplinary approach. This review deals with the clinical aspects of thrombophilia, its etiopathogenesis, diagnosis as well as novel advances in the treatment and outlines the challenges for the further research.