Hypercoagulability test strategies in the protein C and protein S pathway.
The protein C-protein S pathway is critical in controlling normal clot formation to provide homeostasis between thrombosis and hemorrhage. Abnormalities have been described in which the pathway is altered because factor V cannot be degraded by activated protein C, producing activated protein C resistance. It has been known for nearly two decades that deficiencies in protein C and protein S can result in impaired inhibition of clot formation resulting in increased risk for thrombosis. This article describes the testing strategies associated with the diagnosis of activated protein C resistance, protein C deficiency, and protein S deficiency.
Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Room 235 Gray Building, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Elizabeth M
EM
Van Cott
Britt L
BL
Soderberg
Michael
M
Laposata
D000465:Algorithms; D006801:Humans; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000379:methods*; D011486:Protein C / Q000378:metabolism*; D020151:Protein C Deficiency / Q000097:blood; D017293:Protein S / Q000378:metabolism*; D018455:Protein S Deficiency / Q000097:blood; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism
D011486:Protein C; D017293:Protein S