Sticky Platelet Syndrome is a disease that belongs to the category of hereditary or hereditary thrombophilia. The name of the disease already refers to the sticking of blood platelets that occurs as part of sticky platelet syndrome. Basically, the disease is a syndrome of thrombocytic hyperaggregation. In the presence of sticky platelet syndrome, the reactivity between the blood platelets is significantly increased. As a result, clumps develop between the individual platelets. This phenomenon is also known as platelet aggregation.
What is Sticky Platelet Syndrome?
Sticky Platelet Syndrome is an inherited disease that is transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner. Platelets in particular are affected by the disease. Sticky platelet syndrome is characterized by thromboembolism of the arteries and veins. The exact frequency of the disease is not yet known. For what is hydrophthalmos used for, please visit fun-wiki.com.
However, some assumptions assume that sticky platelet syndrome is the actual cause of thromboembolism in numerous cases. In addition, the syndrome often occurs with certain types of coagulopathies, for example with a so-called protein S deficiency. Sticky Platelet Syndrome increases the risk of occlusion of blood vessels.
In addition, there are associations with other forms of thrombophilia. Hyperhomocysteinemia, for example, is possible in this context. In general, sticky platelet syndrome is more common in people who suffer from deep vein thrombosis in the legs, coronary heart disease or arterial occlusive disease. In addition, the disease develops in about 50 percent of all people in whom the vessels on the retina of the eyes become blocked.
Causes
In principle, the exact causes for the development of the sticky platelet syndrome have not yet been finally clarified to this day. However, there are various assumptions about the etiology of the sticky platelet syndrome. For example, some researchers assume that certain surface receptors are involved in the development.
In principle, sticky platelet syndrome appears to be a genetic disease. The disease tends to run in certain families. Observations indicate that sticky platelet syndrome has an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. In the context of sticky platelet syndrome, hyperaggreability develops, which primarily affects platelets.
The phenomenon increases when adrenaline or the substance ADP is present. Sticky Platelet Syndrome was first described in 1983 by Doctor Mammen.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
Sticky Platelet Syndrome is associated with a variety of symptoms. A particularly common symptom of the disease is thromboembolism in the veins and arteries of affected individuals. In addition, diseases such as infarcts of the myocardium, angina pectoris, strokes, embolisms of the peripheral arteries, special ischemic attacks and occlusions of the central veins of the retina often appear in connection with the sticky platelet syndrome.
Corresponding phenomena already occur in numerous cases when the patients are still relatively young. In addition, patients with sticky platelet syndrome are particularly at risk for arterial, venous, and cerebrovascular occlusions. In this context, thromboembolism often occurs. When patients undergo kidney transplants, the likelihood of transplant dysfunction increases. At the same time, the risk of thromboembolism increases.
Diagnosis & course of disease
A diagnosis of sticky platelet syndrome is always made with regard to the clinical symptoms present. On the one hand, it is possible that the affected patients consult a doctor specifically due to the corresponding symptoms. On the other hand, in some cases the disease is discovered by chance, for example during blood analysis.
After consulting a doctor, a patient interview takes place first. The patient is asked to describe their symptoms and lifestyle. The doctor usually also takes a family history, since sticky platelet syndrome has a genetic component. During the clinical examination, it should be noted that blood analyzes only provide meaningful results if platelet aggregation inhibitors are not being taken at the same time.
Otherwise the results of the blood test are falsified by the medicinal substances. Otherwise, sticky platelet syndrome can be reliably detected within a few hours by analyzing the function of the blood platelets.
Complications
Sticky Platelet Syndrome is a serious condition. In the worst case, this can also lead to the death of the person concerned or have a negative effect on the patient’s life expectancy. Those affected suffer from this syndrome at a significantly increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Other heart problems can also occur and lead to death if not treated in time. The seizures start at a young age. Furthermore, there can also be problems with the kidneys, so that in the worst case the patients suffer from renal insufficiency and also die from it. Therefore, those affected are dependent on a kidney transplant or dialysis due to sticky platelet syndrome.
Child development is also significantly restricted and delayed by the syndrome. There are no special complications from the treatment. Those affected usually depend on medications that can relieve symptoms and prevent further seizures. However, the syndrome can also increase the risk of miscarriage, so that more detailed examinations are necessary in the event of pregnancy.
When should you go to the doctor?
Sticky platelet syndrome should always be evaluated and treated by a doctor. It is a hereditary disease that cannot heal itself. For this reason, a doctor should be contacted as soon as the first symptoms of sticky platelet syndrome appear. The doctor should be consulted if the person affected frequently suffers from heart attacks or strokes.
As a rule, these occur without a special or noticeable reason, so that the underlying disease is not recognized at first. Sudden visual problems can also indicate sticky platelet syndrome and should also be examined by a doctor if they do not go away on their own. Since the syndrome can also lead to kidney problems, the kidneys should also be checked regularly.
Sticky platelet syndrome can usually be diagnosed by a general practitioner. The further treatment itself depends on the exact complaints, whereby a complete cure is not possible. The life expectancy of those affected is usually significantly reduced by this disease. Since the disease can also lead to psychological upsets, a visit to a psychologist is also highly recommended.
Treatment & Therapy
There are several ways to treat sticky platelet syndrome. In numerous patients, the administration of acetylsalicylic acid in low doses alleviates the symptoms. At the same time, platelet hyperaggreability regresses. As a result, the clumping of the platelets decreases. In most cases, platelet aggregation inhibitors are also used to treat the disease.
A platelet aggregation test is usually done about four weeks after starting treatment for sticky platelet syndrome. The purpose of this measure is to check the success of the therapeutic approach. In some cases it is necessary to change the dose of the administered medicinal substances. If patients receive the drug Marcumar, the risk of thromboembolism increases.
For this reason, Marcumar is used in such cases in combination with platelet aggregation inhibitors to avoid such complications. Genetic counseling is also an option for some patients with sticky platelet syndrome, especially if they wish to have children. Because in some people affected by the disease, sticky platelet syndrome makes fertilization difficult or leads to miscarriage.
Prevention
There are no effective and proven measures to prevent sticky platelet syndrome, as the causes are still largely unclear.
Aftercare
As a rule, the measures and options for aftercare in sticky platelet syndrome are very limited and in some cases not even possible. For this reason, this disease must be diagnosed and treated as early as possible so that there are no complications or other symptoms as the disease progresses. As a rule, self-healing cannot occur in sticky platelet syndrome.
Since this disease is also a genetic condition, it cannot be completely cured. Therefore, if you want to have children, you should definitely first carry out a genetic examination and counseling to prevent this disease from recurring. In most cases, those affected by Sticky Platelet Syndrome are dependent on the help and care of their own families.
As a rule, psychological support is also necessary to prevent depression or other mental upsets. In addition, surgical interventions are often necessary. After such an operation, the person concerned should definitely take it easy and rest. Contact with other people affected by the syndrome is often useful. The feeling of not being the only one with the disease can boost confidence and thus make it easier to deal with the disease on a day-to-day basis. Sticky Platelet Syndrome generally reduces the life expectancy of the sufferer.
You can do that yourself
Sticky platelet syndrome is primarily treated with medication by prescribing antiplatelets to those affected. Accompanying this, acetylsalicylic acid is used to reduce hyperaggregability. Taking the medication regularly and carefully prevents excessive clotting of the blood and is sufficient as a self-help measure. Patients must take the medication for about three to four weeks and then consult a doctor again. As part of the examination, the success of the treatment is checked and the dosage adjusted if necessary.
It is also important to pay attention to any warning signs of blood clots. If signs of a thromboembolism appear, the doctor must be consulted. The same applies to pectanginous complaints, since there may be a risk of death. The disease must be taken into account when planning a family, as there is an increased risk of miscarriage or infertility.
If sticky platelet syndrome occurs after a kidney transplant, hospitalization is required. The patient must also change their diet and take other measures to reduce the risk of thromboembolic complications. If these measures are followed, the sticky platelet syndrome can be treated well. In most cases, taking the medication is sufficient to adequately regulate the thickness of the blood.
