Markers of thrombophilia in retinal vein thrombosis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of risk factors for systemic thromboembolism in patients with retinal vein thrombosis (RVT).


METHODS
Fifty-four patients younger than 70 years, diagnosed with a retinal vein thrombosis at the Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, were examined for the presence of venous thrombosis risk factors.


RESULTS
23 patients had a central RVT, 26 had a branch RVT, and 4 had a macular RVT. Nineteen (35.2%) of the patients displayed increased levels of plasma homocysteine, one patient (1.9%) the Factor V Leiden mutation, and one patient (1.9%) displayed an antiphospholipid antibody. All other tests for thrombophilia rendered normal. In 15 of the patients with hyperhomocysteinemia, folic acid substitution returned plasma homocysteine to a normal value in 12 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
A surprisingly high prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was detected in this cohort of RVT patients, clearly superseding the prevalence of around 17% found in patients suffering venous thromboembolism in other vascular compartments. Our finding points to the likelihood that hyperhomocysteinemia may be a significant risk factor for retinal vein thrombosis.
Hansen
L
L
The Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Aarhus/Skejby, Aarhus, Denmark. cpom.@dadlnet.dk
Kristensen
H L
HL
Bek
T
T
Ingerslev
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D005165:Factor V / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011486:Protein C / Q000032:analysis; D017293:Protein S / Q000032:analysis; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics
D000991:Antithrombins; D015415:Biomarkers; D011486:Protein C; D017293:Protein S; C095381:factor V Leiden; D006710:Homocysteine; D005165:Factor V