Hypercoagulable state

Also known as prothrombotic state or thrombophilia, it is the propensity to venous thrombosis due to an abnormality in the coagulation system.

It may be inherited or acquired, although in some cases the underlying cause has not been identified.

Many factors contribute to the hypercoagulable state. Inherited thrombophilia affects up to 10% of the population; acquired risk factors, such as obesity and hormonal therapy, are frequent in the community.

Most patients with heritable thrombophilia remain asymptomatic.

Venous thromboembolism is the most common manifestation of the hypercoagulable state. It can be prevented in some patients through identification of those at risk and appropriate thromboprophylaxis during periods of high risk, such as admission to the hospital and following major surgery.

Also known as prothrombotic state or thrombophilia, it is the propensity to venous thrombosis due to an abnormality in the coagulation system.[1]The British Committee for Standards in Haematology. Guidelines on the investigation and management of thrombophilia. J Clin Pathol. 1990 Sep;43(9):703-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC502744/pdf/jclinpath00399-0003.pdf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2212062?tool=bestpractice.com It was first described by Rudolf Virchow in the mid-19th century as part of the triad of causative factors for venous thromboembolism (i.e., stasis, vascular injury, and hypercoagulability).[2]Kitchens CS. Concept of hypercoagulability: a review of its development, clinical application, and recent development. Semin Thromb Hemost. 1985 Jul;11(3):293-315. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3901260?tool=bestpractice.com It may be inherited or acquired, but in some cases the underlying cause cannot be identified.[3]Baglin T, Gray E, Greaves M, et al; British Committee for Standards in Haematology. Clinical guidelines for testing for heritable thrombophilia. Br J Haematol. 2010 Apr;149(2):209-20. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2141.2009.08022.x/full http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20128794?tool=bestpractice.com