[The initial stage of thrombus formation in early stages of arteriosclerosis]

An arterial thrombosis develops via a lesion of the vascular wall. By the contact of the flowing blood with subendothelial collagen and basal membrane proportions the adhesion and aggregation of platelets develop which, depending on flowing conditions and local conditions, such as ADP-concentration, may lead to manifest thromboses. The prostaglandines have an essential influence on these processes. The relations of thrombosis to arteriosclerosis consist in the stimulation of the smooth muscle cells to proliferation by a factor of thrombocytes, in the organisation of experimental arterial thromboses with formation of an intima proliferation and in the complications of manifest arteriosclerosis by secondary thromboses. Methods for the proff of an increased inclination to thrombosis on the basis of an increased platelet function are critically discussed as to their clinical usability. A spontaneously increased aggregation of platelets is regarded as a reference to progressing arteriosclerosis. In these cases the significant increase of the spontaneous aggregation is of special importance in diabetics.