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Semin Thromb Hemost 2006; 32(4): 372-380
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-942758
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Risk Factors for Thrombosis and Bleeding and Their Influence on Therapeutic Decisions in Patients with Essential Thrombocythemia

Martin Griesshammer1
  • 1Department of Medicine III, Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Ulm, Federal Republic of Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
29 June 2006 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The clinical course of essential thrombocythemia (ET) is variable, ranging from microvascular circulation disturbances to severe thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications in patients who do not have any symptoms for many years. The identification of patients at risk for major thrombosis who need platelet-lowering therapy is important. During the last two decades, several risk factors for the development of ET-related thrombotic and bleeding complications have been identified. These include platelet counts, previous thrombotic events, older age, cardiovascular risk factors, hereditary thrombophilia, clonality, and the presence of molecular markers such as PRV-1 or the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) mutation. According to the presence or absence of these risk factors, individual patients with ET are currently stratified as low-, intermediate-, or high-risk patients. The influence of these risk factors on therapeutic decisions in patients with ET is critically reviewed and discussed in detail.

KEYWORDS

Essential thrombocythemia - risk factors - therapy

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 Professor
 Dr.
M. GriesshammerM.D. Ph.D. 

Department of Medicine III, Robert-Koch-Strasse 8

D-89081 Ulm, Federal Republic of Germany

Email: martin.griesshammer@medizin.uni-ulm.de