Thromboembolic Events in Severe Thalassemia Syndromes

Abstract

In the last few decades, the prognosis of patients with β-thalassemia has improved dramatically. However these patients suffer from many serious complications. One of the most important morbidities in patients with thalassemia are thromboembolic events that are mainly observed in thalassemia intermedia. Profound hemostatic changes have been observed in patients with thalassemia intermedia and numerous factors have been attributed to the pathogenesis of hypercoagulable state among patients with thalassemia intermedia. In this review the different mechanisms resulting in hypercoagulability in patients with thalassemia, the clinical importance, prevention and treatment of thromboembolic episodes have been discussed.