[The development of arterial thrombi]

Abstract

The factors involved in arterial thrombosis include the endothelial and subendothelial cells of the arterial wall, platelets and other blood cells, plasma factors and blood flow. An arterial thrombus arises from an interaction between platelets and the subendothelium (basement membrane and microfibrils) which has been shown by recent experiments to have a thrombogenic propensity. The particular structure of the subendothelium and its glycoprotein membrane receptors for platelets is implicated on thrombogenesis which requires the intervention of von Willebrand's factor; the well-known role of collagen is also important. An arterial thrombosis may evolve into a mural thrombus or may spread or form an embolus.