HIGH SHEARING FORCES IN BLOOD - HEMOSTASIS, THROMBOSIS AND ATHEROGENESIS

Thrombosis can be considered as inappropriate haemostasis. Platelets a re involved in these two processes and also in atherogenesis. A recent review (1) of hemorrheology, thrombogenesis and atherosclerosis discu sses the effect of blood flow on the many factors in the blood stream and vessel wall which may contribute to these multifactorial, clinical entities, but platelets are hardly mentioned. However although an eff ect of high shear forces on platelets has been known for some time (2, 3), only recently has the importance of shear been realised and explor ed. A study of aortic valve stenosis has contributed a further underst anding to this complex field. This article reviews relevant work and a ttempts a synthesis of current knowledge in this field.