Thrombophilia testing for prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism.
BACKGROUND
Tests for thrombophilia are being performed on a large scale in people after venous thromboembolism (VTE) even though the benefits of testing are still subject to debate. The most important benefit would be a reduction in the risk of recurrent VTE due to the use of additional prophylactic measures.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review was to assess the benefit of testing for thrombophilia after VTE in terms of risk reduction of recurrent VTE.


METHODS
The Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases (PVD) Group searched their Trials Register (last searched 15 October 2008) and CENTRAL (last searched The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 4). We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and reference lists.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) that compared the rate of recurrent VTE in participants with VTE who were tested for thrombophilia with the rate in participants with VTE who were not tested were eligible.


METHODS
We planned to extract data from identified studies using data extraction forms.


RESULTS
No studies were included because no RCTs or CCTs could be identified.


CONCLUSIONS
There are currently no randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials that have assessed the benefit(s) of testing for thrombophilia on the risk of recurrent VTE.
Cohn
Danny
D
Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Room F4-139, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1105 AZ. d.m.cohn@amc.uva.nl
Vansenne
Fleur
F
de Borgie
Corianne
C
Middeldorp
Saskia
S
D006801:Humans; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*