[What explains the increased rate of thromboses among the elderly? Pathophysiological data].

The incidence of both arterial and venous thrombosis increases with age. The explanation is probably multifactorial, since elderly patients often have several risk factors. Aging per se appears to be an independent risk factor for thrombosis: age-related modifications of the vascular apparatus and blood components contribute to the development of a procoagulant state. Arterial and venous thromboses involve varying degrees of coagulation and platelet activation.