Annali italiani di medicina interna : organo ufficiale della Società italiana di medicina interna
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Ann. Ital. Med. Int. · Oct 2005
Review[Antiphospholipid syndrome and venous thromboembolism: the role of congenital thrombophilia].
The antiphospholipid syndrome is associated with complications of pregnancy or venous or arterial thrombosis in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. Venous thromboembolism is the most common clinical feature. Pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the syndrome are not completely understood and several hypotheses have been raised. ⋯ High levels of factor VIII, factor IX and lipoprotein(a) have recently been proposed as new risk factors for venous thromboembolism. The coexistence of inherited thrombophilia seems to enhance the thrombogenic risk, in particular in the venous vascular bed. The new insights into the diagnosis of inherited thrombophilia could allow a better evaluation of the thrombotic risk, leading to tailor the prophylactic strategy.