Platelets Are Critical Key Players in Sepsis

Fanny Vardon-Bounes1,2, Stéphanie Ruiz3, Marie-Pierre Gratacap4

  • 1Anesthesiology and Critical Care Unit, Toulouse University Hospital, 31059 Toulouse, France. bounes.f@chu-toulouse.fr.

Host defense against infection is based on two crucial mechanisms: the inflammatory response and the activation of coagulation. Platelets are involved in both hemostasis and immune response. These mechanisms work together in a complex and synchronous manner making the contribution of platelets of major importance in sepsis. This is a summary of the pathophysiology of sepsis-induced thrombocytopenia, microvascular consequences, platelet-endothelial cells and platelet-pathogens interactions. The critical role of platelets during sepsis and the therapeutic implications are also reviewed.

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