title: Laboratory thrombophilias and venous thromboembolism.
abstract: Inherited abnormalities of coagulation are increasingly recognized in patients with venous thromboembolism. Common causes of hypercoagulability, also known as thrombophilia, include factor V Leiden, the prothrombin gene mutation, hyperhomocysteinemia, and antiphospholipid antibodies. Thrombophilia should be suspected in patients who develop idiopathic venous thromboembolism at a young age, recurrent thrombosis, thromboses at unusual sites, recurrent unexplained pregnancy loss, or if there is a family history of thrombotic disorders. The most cost-effective approach is to initially screen for factor V Leiden, the prothrombin gene mutation, hyperhomocysteinemia, and antiphospholipid antibodies because these are the most common defects causing thrombophilia. Long-term anticoagulation is controversial but should be considered if unprovoked venous thromboembolism recurs.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Hylton V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Joffe
authors.forename: Samuel Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Goldhaber
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*