Thrombocytopathies: Not Just Aggregation Defects-The Clinical Relevance of Procoagulant Platelets

Platelets are active key players in haemostasis. Qualitative platelet dysfunctions result in thrombocytopathies variously characterized by defects of their adhesive and procoagulant activation endpoints. In this review, we summarize the traditional platelet defects in adhesion, secretion, and aggregation. In addition, we review the current knowledge about procoagulant platelets, focusing on their role in bleeding or thrombotic pathologies and their pharmaceutical modulation. Procoagulant activity is an important feature of platelet activation, which should be specifically evaluated during the investigation of a suspected thrombocytopathy.

Automated summary

Platelets play a key role in hemostasis and their qualitative dysfunctions can lead to various thrombocytopathies. This review focuses on traditional platelet defects in adhesion, secretion, and aggregation, as well as the role of procoagulant platelets in bleeding or thrombotic pathologies. Procoagulant activity is an important feature of platelet activation that should be specifically evaluated during investigations of suspected thrombocytopathies.