A different view of thrombosis

In this paper we discuss some of the physical difficulties associated with the classical view of thrombosis and conclude that there are problems assoc iated with these concepts. We propose an alternative model based on our pub lished observations that, during ex-vivo thrombus formation, the platelets, which normally do not stain for tissue factor, become tissue factor positi ve. These hybrid species are capable not only of propagating coagulation, b ut also of initiating it. Thus thrombi can grow without evoking long-range diffusion - a very slow and inefficient mechanism, particularly in a flowin g system. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 11 (suppl 1):S1-S2 (C) 2000 Lippincott & Williams & Wilkins.