Recent in vivo studies have highlighted the dynamic and complex nature of platelet
thrombus growth and the requirement for multiple adhesive receptor–ligand interactions in
this process. In particular, the importance of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in promoting both
primary adhesion and aggregation under high shear conditions is now well established. In
general, the efficiency with which platelets adhere and aggregate at sites of vessel wall
injury is dependent on the synergistic action of various adhesive and soluble agonist …