Hypercoagulability. Should every patient with venous thrombosis be tested?
Tests for anticoagulant protein deficiencies have a low predictive value for venous thrombosis in the general population. Such testing should be done only in patients with recurrent thrombosis, a family history of thrombosis, or atypical features such as young age at presentation or unusual site. Decreased fibrinolysis is another defect often seen in patients with venous thrombosis, but it lacks sufficient specificity to have a high predictive value. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies has a fairly high predictive value, and testing beyond the partial thromboplastin time may be justified in patients who have (1) arterial thrombosis or (2) a history of fetal demise or recurrent spontaneous abortions.
Freed
J A
JA
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, St Vincent Charity Hospital and Health Center, Cleveland, OH 44115.
D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D020152:Antithrombin III Deficiency; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020151:Protein C Deficiency; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000925:Anticoagulants