Vascular Complications of Essential Thrombocythemia

In patients with ET, elevated platelet and leukocyte counts were associated with excess risk for hemorrhage; high leukocyte count was associated with excess risk for thrombosis.

Patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) are at risk for thrombosis, bleeding, and progression to myelofibrosis and leukemic transformation. The goal of cytoreductive therapy is to prevent these complications, but whether the primary objective should be to normalize the platelet count, the leukocyte count, or both is unclear. To determine the relationship between blood count and vascular complications, an international team of investigators performed a prospective study of 776 patients with ET.

Thrombosis occurred in 58 patients and major hemorrhage in 31. No association was found between either of these complications and blood counts at diagnosis. However, during the 60 days after diagnosis, risk for thrombosis was associated with leuko…

Reviewing Author

David Green, MD, PhD

Disclosures

EquityNovartis

David Green, MD, PhD

Disclosures

EquityNovartis