Acute thrombotic complications of myeloproliferative disorders in young adults.

Two young adults with myeloproliferative disease had recurrent thrombotic episodes, which were life threatening or associated with a risk of serious disability. Both patients were treated for arterial occlusive disease, and treatment in one instance reversed spastic paraplegia. During a subsequent two-year period of observation, they have remained symptom free. During that time they have been treated with aspirin, and platelet counts have been maintained at one million/mm3 or less.