Active cancer by itself but also chemotherapy is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and especially coronary artery disease (CAD) and atrial fibrillation (AF). The frequency of CVD, CAD, and AF varies depending on comorbidities (particularly in older patients), cancer type, and stage, as well as the anticancer therapeutic being taken. Many reports exist for anticancer drugs being associated with CVD, CAD, and AF, but robust data are often lacking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is the consequence of a complex, still incompletely understood immunological dysregulation. Proposed mechanisms include autoantibody-induced platelet destruction, impaired platelet production as well as abnormalities in T-cell immunity, such as T helper cells (Th1) polarization, a high proportion of Th17 cells, and a reduced number of regulatory T cells. Although the etiology of ITP is incompletely understood and considered multifactorial in most cases, genetic variants are thought to play a key role in susceptibility to ITP, especially in persistent or chronic ITP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdvanced chronic liver disease is accompanied with relevant changes in the corpuscular and plasmatic coagulation system. Due to thrombocytopenia that is regularly observed in these patients, platelet transfusions are often performed prior invasive procedures to prevent possible bleeding complications. However, platelet transfusions are associated with clinically significant adverse events and economically relevant health care costs.
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