Current opinion in hematology
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Curr. Opin. Hematol. · Sep 2012
ReviewInfluence of hereditary or acquired thrombophilias on the treatment of venous thromboembolism.
Deficiency of antithrombin, protein C, and protein S increases the risk of a first venous thromboembolism (VTE) by at least 10-fold and is rare (i.e., <0.5% of population), whereas factor V Leiden and the prothrombin G20210A gene increase this risk by 2-5-fold and are common (2-5% of whites). Antiphospholipid antibodies are considered acquired thrombophilic states. Testing for these abnormalities is widespread. This review will consider if the results of testing should influence how patients with VTE are treated. ⋯ Thrombophilia should rarely influence the treatment of VTE. Therefore, routine thrombophilia testing of patients with VTE is not indicated as a way to guide treatment decisions.