title: [Testing for thrombophilia in patients with venous thromboembolism - why and whom to test?]
abstract: Hereditary and acquired thrombophilias are known risk factors for a first venous thromboembolism (VTE). In contrast, the relative risk of VTE recurrence in presence of hereditary thrombophilia seems to be at most moderately elevated. However, thrombophilia still contributes to a greater extent to the absolute risk of VTE recurrence. This is explained by the 20-50-fold increased risk of VTE in a subject after a first VTE when compared to the state without previous VTE. Testing for thrombophilia may therefore be helpful in patients at intermediate risk of recurrence in whom the finding of a "strong" thrombophilia can bring about a decision for long-term anticoagulation.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Linnemann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D018579:Patient Selection; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult