The relationship between FV Leiden and pulmonary embolism.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the leading causes of in-patient hospital deaths. As a consequence, the identification of hemostatic variables that could identify those at risk would be important in reducing mortality. It has previously been thought that deep vein thrombosis and PE are a single disease entity and would, therefore, have the same risk factors. This view is changing, however, with the realization that the prevalence of FV Leiden, a recognized genetic risk factor for deep vein thrombosis, may be a 'milder' genetic risk factor for PE. These observations suggest that PE is not only associated with a different set of risk factors, but may be reflective of a different clot structure.
Hooper
W Craig
WC
Hematologic Disease Branch, Division of AIDS, STD, and TB Laboratory Research, National Centers for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA. chooper@cdc.gov
De Staercke
Christine
C
D005165:Factor V / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics
C095381:factor V Leiden; D005165:Factor V