Coagulation disorders

Abstract

Venous thrombosis is mostly caused by disturbances in the plasma coagulation system with platelet participation playing a minor role, whereas in arterial thrombosis platelets play the predominant role, with some participation of the plasma coagulation system. This paradigm helps explain why coagulation factor abnormalities, such as factor V Leiden, or deficiencies of protein C, protein S, and antithrombin predominantly lead to venous thromboembolism. An understanding of the role of abnormalities predisposing to arterial thromboembolism, such as platelet receptor polymorphisms, is just emerging. At present, inconsistent findings of studies regarding the association of these polymorphisms with arterial thromboembolism limits their clinical usefulness. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.