Background

Essential thrombocythemia is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder characterized by a sustained proliferation of megakaryocytes, which leads to increased numbers of circulating platelets. Hemorrhagic and/or thrombotic episodes are frequent, and thrombosis of both veins and arteries may develop. Vessels in unusual sites may be involved, e.g., the hepatic veins, mesenteric veins, and the dig...

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an acquired thrombophilia characterized by venous or artery thrombosis sometimes accompanied by thrombocytopenia in the presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies. The 14th International Antiphos-pholipid Antibodies Congress was combined with the 4th Latin American Congress on Autoimmunity and took place in Rio de Janeiro in September 2013. In this special issue we ha...