The relationship between plasma levels of the factor VIII complex and platelet release products (β-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4) in children with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome

In order to study interactions between plasma, platelets and vascular wall in patients with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), the plasma levels of components of the factor VIII (FVIII) complex and of the platelet release products, β-thromboglobulin (β-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF₄), were investigated in 7 children who had HUS and who were treated with hemodialysis and plasma infusions or antiaggregants. High values of the parameters studied were found in the acute stages of the disease with a progressive return to normal which occurred before the return of normal renal function. Our data suggest the importance of the relationships between platelets and the vascular endothelium in various stages of HUS.