Risk and management of thrombosis in multiple myeloma

Patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma have an increased risk of venous thrombosis. This may be due to various risk factors, including disease specific factors, changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis factors and circulating prothrombotic microparticles. More recent studies have indicated that also arterial thrombosis, including acute myocardial infarction and stroke do occur more frequently in these patients. Studies on etiological factors contributing to the development of thrombosis will be reviewed in this article. In addition we will focus on the prevention and management of arterial and venous thrombosis in patients with multiple myeloma.