ARTERIAL THROMBOSIS IN THE NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

Thrombosis is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with the nephrotic syndrome, Venous thrombotic complications are well recognized but arterial complications are rare. Thrombosis is multifac torial, and has been attributed to a hypercoaguable state due to alter ations in blood levels of the various factors involved in the coagulat ion and fibrinolytic systems, alterations in platelet function, venous stasis, haemoconcentration, increased blood viscosity and possibly th e administration of steroids. Thrombosis in general and arterial throm bosis in particular is a significant and potentially serious problem i n nephrotic patients. Awareness of the condition and its pathogenesis is needed. Assessment for the risk factors is required to allow approp riate prophylactic measures to be taken.