Thromboembolic complications in β-thalassemia: Beyond the horizon

Patients with β-thalassemia have a chronic hypercoagulable state with increased incidence of thromboembolic episodes. The thrombotic complications are more common in thalassemia intermedia than in regularly transfused thalassemia major. The pathophysiologic defects include inherent red cell defects, platelet abnormalities, deficiency of coagulation inhibitors, and additional acquired abnormalities like cardiac and liver dysfunction, hormonal deficiencies. These factors and possible preventive measures are discussed in this review. An illustrative case is also presented.