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Open Access 01-03-2008 | Review Article

Iron and thrombosis

Authors: Massimo Franchini, Giovanni Targher, Martina Montagnana, Giuseppe Lippi

Published in: Annals of Hematology | Issue 3/2008

Abstract

Although essential for cell physiology, an increase or depletion of body iron has harmful effects on health. Apart from iron deficiency anemia and iron overload-related organ tissue damage, there are increasing evidences that body iron status is implicated in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. The hypothesis formulated in 1981 that iron depletion may protect against cardiovascular events is intriguing and has generated a significant debate in the last two decades. Indeed, to study this phenomenon, several investigators have tried to design appropriate experimental and clinical studies and to identify useful biochemical and genetic markers of iron status. The results of the literature on the effect of iron deficiency and overload on vascular health are critically reviewed in this study from a pathogenic and clinical point of view.

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Title: Iron and thrombosis
Authors: Massimo Franchini
Giovanni Targher
Martina Montagnana
Giuseppe Lippi
Publication date: 01-03-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Annals of Hematology / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 0939-5555
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0584
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-007-0416-1

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