Platelets and Atherosclerosis

This study of basic thrombosis research and its clinical applications critically evaluates traditional strategies for treating patients with thrombo-embolic complications. The authors question the assumption that platelets are the predominant factor in the development of arthero-sclerosis. Indeed, these studies show that monocytes and vessel wall factors may also play an important role. The author's conclusion is that a new therapeutic approach should aim at influencing these pathways. The book also discusses the fact that the radio-labelling of platelets has been established as an accepted laboratory method for evaluating the interaction of the platelets with the vessel wall. This has important consequences for the in vivo quantification of platelet deposits and the testing of various antithrombotic drugs.