Epidemiological data have demonstrated that race and ethnicity influence the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), with Blacks found to have the highest rate of incident VTE when compared with other ethnic groups, and Asians and Pacific Islanders having a lower rate of VTE than Whites.18,19 The underlying mechanisms for these racial differences are likely complex and to date remain to be fully understood. Previous data have suggested that higher Factor VIII levels, VWF (von Willebrand Factor) levels and lower Protein C levels observed in African populations may account for some of the racial differences in thrombotic risk.20 In addition, recent data have highlighted important racial differences in platelet reactivity to thrombin, with platelets from Black patients commonly exhibiting polymorphisms in the PAR (protease-activated receptor)-4 that are associated with a markedly enhanced aggregation response to thrombin.21