Thrombotic risk in thalassemic patients

Hemostatic parameters of 495 beta-thalassemic patients (421 with thalassemi a major and 74 with thalassemia intermedia) were analyzed, to assess their association with the described thrombophilic condition and to verify the ro le of additional risk factors (e.g. persistent postsplenectomy thrombocytos is, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, estrogen-progestin treatment and a trial fibrillation). The prevalence of thromboembolic accidents was 5.2% an d in four patients (15.3%) inherited or acquired predisposing defects were recognized. The incidence of thromboembolic events and the associated relat ive risk due to hemocoagulative abnormalities in these patients are discuss ed.