Platelets in atherogenesis and thrombogenesis

The old thrombogenic hypothesis of atherosclerosis delivered by the Austrian pathologist Carl von Rokitansky has recently appeared in modern costume as claims that platelets contribute to atherogenesis in three ways: through damaging arterial endothelial cells by releasing various agents, the release of a factor responsible for smooth muscle cell proliferation and the formation of persistent mural thrombi being organized into intimal thickenings. An updated view of the role of platelets in atherosclerosis and thrombogenesis is presented in relation to the ideas of Carl von Rokitansky.

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