Platelets are the key cellular components of blood that play a major role in controlling blood loss. Platelets become activated in response to injury and thus participate in thrombus formation by means of recruiting other platelets in the circulation at the site of vascular injury. However, platelets can be a potential contributor towards the development of thrombotic complications in certain clinical diseases, as activated platelets have been observed in many of the diseases such as acute coronary syndrome, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and other inflammatory diseases.

Activated platelets express multiple proteins that are not seen on the surface of resting platelets and thus, these proteins can potentially serve as markers of activated platelets in clinical conditions. Moreover, activated platelets release pro-coagulant microparticles which eventually participate in various events including activation of other cells like neutrophils. Surface expression of receptors, secretion of granular contents, and platelets can altogether serve as markers of activated platelets in many clinical diseases. Platelet activation markers are useful tools in evaluating risk factors of thrombosis. The development of advanced technologies helps in determining the status of platelet activation in diseased conditions which help in the management of thrombotic complications.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together original research and review articles that focus on the association of activated platelets with clinical diseases.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Platelet structure and function
• Mechanism and sources of platelet activation
• Clinical implications of activated platelets in conditions such as cardiac diseases, stroke, inflammatory bowel disease, and other diseases
• Association of activated platelets in bacterial and viral infections
• The role of platelet activation markers in clinical diseases
• The role of platelet microparticles in thrombus formation
• Measurement of activated platelets
• Detection of thrombogenic microparticles in circulation
• Management of thrombotic complications
• Anti-platelet agents and Inhibitors of platelet function