Increased blood coagulation and platelet activation in patients with infective endocarditis and embolic events

Abstract

Patients with IE and with subsequent thromboembolism have increased systemic coagulation activation, enhanced platelet activity/damage, and impaired fibrinolysis. The resulting imbalance produces a sustained hypercoagulable state, which contributes to the increased risk of thromboembolic events in this particular group.

Clinicopathologic findings and outcome in dogs with infective endocarditis: 71 cases (1992–2005)

“…41 In the present study, echocardiographic imaging was a sensitive tool for diagnosis of IE, with a sensitivity of 87.5%, compared with necropsy, which was used as the gold standard for diagnosis. When coagulation testing was performed, results were nearly always abnormal; therefore, consideration should be given to testing all dogs with IE for coagulation function.…”

Emphasis on the Role of PF4 in the Incidence, Pathophysiology and Treatment of Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia

“…The plasma level of PF4 is proportional to the extent and duration of platelet activation and of PF4 turnover, depending to a large extent on the underlying clinical status of each patient [38]. Increased PF4 levels are observed in inflammatory or infectious disease [39,40], diabetes [41], cardiovascular and renal disease [42-44], atherosclerosis [45] and other conditions affecting vascular health [41,46-48] or in response to traumatic medical procedures [49-51] or cardiopulmonary bypass [52]. Upon release from activated platelets, PF4 rapidly associates with heparan sulfate on endothelial cells and can be brought back into circulation by heparin, for which it has a higher affinity [30,31,53].…”

Thrombocytopenia in Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: Risk Factors and Prognostic Importance

“…5 In turn, endocarditis may cause thrombocytopenia through shearing forces over the damaged valve. 6 The adherence of S aureus to platelets leads to platelet activation and aggregation. 7 When this occurs in a localized manner, it may result in formation of a thrombus; if the interaction occurs diffusely in the bloodstream, it may result in consumption of platelets, leading to thrombocytopenia.…”