The conclusions obtained from this meta-analysis indicate that the frequency of phlebotomies in patients with polycythemia vera receiving hydroxyurea does not represent a risk factor for future thrombosis in patients with polycythemia vera and does not support the need to shift from hydroxyurea plus therapeutic phlebotomy to second-line agents, and indirectly reinforce that a low HCT is the key variable to reduce the thrombotic risk in PV patients.
Haematologica