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Figure 5 Relation of Platelets, Plaque Rupture, Thrombus Formation, and Adverse Clinical Outcomes

Platelets mediate an array of in vivo processes leading to adverse events. Initial activation is stimulated by key primary agonists (collagen, von Willebrand factor [vWF], thrombin). The activated platelet surface is the site of coagulation-factor generation, leading to amplification of thrombin generation. Release of key secondary agonists (adenosine diphosphate [ADP], TxA₂) upon activation amplifies aggregation. PLT = platelet; TF = tissue factor; WBC = white blood cell; other abbreviations as in Figure 1.