Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2008; 29(1): 025-039
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1047560
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Thrombophilias: When Should We Test and How Does It Help?

Nicole L. Whitlatch1 , Thomas L. Ortel1 , 2
  • 1Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
  • 2Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
26 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

Venous thromboembolism can be a life-threatening event, occurring in ~1 in 1000 adults annually. An underlying cause for thrombosis can now be identified in up to 80% of cases, including both inherited and acquired causes of thrombophilia. In fact, it is often a combination of these risk factors that leads to the development of thrombosis. Knowing what these risk factors are for an individual patient can help with decisions regarding duration of anticoagulation, and how best to prevent a recurrent event. This article reviews both the inherited and the acquired causes of thrombophilia, focusing on the clinical scenarios in which these disorders should be suspected and on how to appropriately test for them when clinically indicated. By the conclusion of this article, the clinician should be equipped with an algorithm of how to approach a patient with a thromboembolic event, from decisions regarding which thrombophilia tests to order to how the results of these tests affect patient management.

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Thomas L OrtelM.D. Ph.D. 

Division of Hematology, Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center

Box 3422, Durham, NC 27710

Email: thomas.ortel@duke.edu