Abstract
Thrombophilia can be identified in about half of all patients presenting with venous thromboembolism (VTE). Thrombophilia screening for various indications has increased tremendously, but whether the results of such tests help in the clinical management of patients is uncertain. Here, current recommendations for thrombophilia screening in selected groups of patients, and considerations whether other high-risk subjects should be tested are reviewed. The methods for determination of the most common thrombophilic defects (antithrombin, protein C, protein S deficiencies, Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A) associated with strong to moderate risk of VTE are described, indicating the timing and location of thrombophilia screening. Circumstances when a positive result of thrombophilia screening helps clinicians decide if adjustments of the anticoagulant regime are needed are discussed. Finally, psychological, social and ethical dilemmas associated with thrombophilia screening are indicated.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:S105–13.
©2010 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Special issue of the 10th EFCC Continuous Postgraduate Course in Clinical Chemistry: “New Trends in Classification, Diagnosis and Management of Thrombophilia”, October 2010, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Reviews
- Platelet physiology and antiplatelet agents
- Hypercoagulable state, pathophysiology, classification and epidemiology
- Diagnostic algorithm for thrombophilia screening
- Genetic basis of thrombosis
- Protein C and protein S deficiencies: similarities and differences between two brothers playing in the same game
- Antithrombin deficiency and its laboratory diagnosis
- Factor V Leiden and FII 20210 testing in thromboembolic disorders
- Hyperhomocysteinemia and thrombophilia
- Pediatric thrombosis
- Thrombophilia screening – at the right time, for the right patient, with a good reason
- Methodological issues of genetic association studies
- Pharmacogenetics guided anticoagulation
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Special issue of the 10th EFCC Continuous Postgraduate Course in Clinical Chemistry: “New Trends in Classification, Diagnosis and Management of Thrombophilia”, October 2010, Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Reviews
- Platelet physiology and antiplatelet agents
- Hypercoagulable state, pathophysiology, classification and epidemiology
- Diagnostic algorithm for thrombophilia screening
- Genetic basis of thrombosis
- Protein C and protein S deficiencies: similarities and differences between two brothers playing in the same game
- Antithrombin deficiency and its laboratory diagnosis
- Factor V Leiden and FII 20210 testing in thromboembolic disorders
- Hyperhomocysteinemia and thrombophilia
- Pediatric thrombosis
- Thrombophilia screening – at the right time, for the right patient, with a good reason
- Methodological issues of genetic association studies
- Pharmacogenetics guided anticoagulation