Microcirculation : the official journal of the Microcirculatory Society, Inc
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Sepsis is a major clinical problem that often results in the dysfunction or failure of multiple organs, including the liver. While inflammatory cell activation has been implicated as an early critical event in sepsis-induced liver dysfunction, there is growing evidence for the involvement of activated platelets in this pathologic process. ⋯ These findings indicate that sepsis is associated with a neutrophil-dependent recruitment of platelets in the liver microcirculation that impairs sinusoidal perfusion and may contribute to the liver dysfunction associated with sepsis.