Platelet dysfunction in thrombosis patients treated with vitamin K antagonists and recurrent bleeding.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recurrent bleeding can complicate the treatment of thrombosis patients with vitamin K antagonists (VKA), even at a well-regulated level of anticoagulation. In this proof-of-principle study, we investigated whether alterations in platelet function or von Willebrand factor (vWf) contribute to a bleeding phenotype in these patients.

Methods

In this case-control study 33 well-regulated patients without bleeding events (controls) and 33 patients with recurrent bleeding (cases) were retrospectively included. Thrombin generation and vWf were determined in plasma. Platelet function was assessed by light transmission aggregometry and flow cytometry using a validated panel of agonists.

Results

Thrombin generation was similarly reduced in controls and cases, in compar

SUBMITTER: van der Meijden PE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3665853 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature