Semin Vasc Med 2001; 01(1): 081-088
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-14544
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Venous Thromboembolic Disease: Risk Factors and Laboratory Investigation

Martine Alhenc-Gelas1 , Martine Aiach1 , Philippe de Moerloose2
  • 1Service d'Hématologie Biologique A, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
  • 2Haemostasis Unit, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

ABSTRACT

The etiology of venous thromboembolic disease has been the subject of several recent discoveries, particularly on genetic predisposing factors. The laboratory investigation that may help to evaluate the risk for individual patients includes the measurements of coagulation inhibitors (antithrombin, protein C, and protein S) in plasma assays, the search for the factor V Leiden mutation by the plasma activated protein C resistance test (always to be confirmed by DNA analysis when abnormal), and the search for the prothrombin gene mutation by DNA analysis. Among acquired abnormalities, the most frequently involved are phospholipid-dependent autoantibodies associated or not with a subset of antibodies having an anticoagulant effect in vitro (lupus anticoagulant). Other coagulation abnormalities such as increased FVIII, FIX, or FXI levels or hyperhomocysteinemia have been suggested to be risk factors for thrombosis, although additional studies are required to definitively assess their role.

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