Thrombophilia overview

Thrombophilia Microchapters
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Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Thrombophilia from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
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CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Asiri Ediriwickrema, M.D., M.H.S. [2]

Overview

Thrombophilia is a complex condition which increases the risk of thrombosis or thromboembolic disease. The predisposition to clotting, or thrombotic risk, can be multi-factorial, and is due to an abnormality in coagulation described as hypercoagulability. Hypercoagulability by itself or in synergy with the other components of Virchow's Triad can predispose to clot formation. The thrombotic risk associated with thrombophilic states is variable and depends on the underlying abnormality in coagulation. Thrombophilias are classified as either inherited or a primary hypercoagulable state, acquired or a secondary hypercoagulable state, or mixed/unknown. Factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutations are the most common forms of inherited hypercoagulable states. Patients with thrombophilia can have a family history of thrombosis, or present with frequent or unprovoked blood clots (primarily as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism), thrombosis at a young age, or blood clots in multiple or unusual sites. Thrombophilia screening is controversial, but may aid in managing the duration of anticoagulation in affected patients and primary prevention in relatives.

Historical Perspective

Rudolf Virchow began describing hypercoagulability in the mid 1800s, however, it was not until 1965 that the first descriptions of inherited thrombophilia were published. Later, in the 1990s, the more common mutations associated with primary hypercoagulable states were identified.

Classification

Thrombophilias are classified as either inherited or a primary hypercoagulable state, acquired or a secondary hypercoagulable state, or mixed/unknown. Certain conditions are associated with greater thrombotic risks and both venous and arterial clots.

Pathophysiology

• The pathogenesis of thrombophilia is characterized by hypercoagulability, which by itself or in synergy with endothelial injury or stasis (Virchow's Triad) can predispose to clot formation.
• Multiple genetic mutations and predisposing conditions have been associated with the increased risk of thrombus formation due to abnormalities in the coagulation cascade.

Causes

• [Disease name] may be caused by either [cause1], [cause2], or [cause3].
• [Disease name] is caused by a mutation in the [gene1], [gene2], or [gene3] gene[s].
• There are no established causes for [disease name].

Differentiating [disease name] from other Diseases

• [Disease name] must be differentiated from other diseases that cause [clinical feature 1], [clinical feature 2], and [clinical feature 3], such as:

• [Differential dx1]
• [Differential dx2]
• [Differential dx3]

Epidemiology and Demographics

• The prevalence of [disease name] is approximately [number or range] per 100,000 individuals worldwide.
• In [year], the incidence of [disease name] was estimated to be [number or range] cases per 100,000 individuals in [location].

Age

• Patients of all age groups may develop [disease name].

• [Disease name] is more commonly observed among patients aged [age range] years old.
• [Disease name] is more commonly observed among [elderly patients/young patients/children].

Gender

• [Disease name] affects men and women equally.

• [Gender 1] are more commonly affected with [disease name] than [gender 2].
• The [gender 1] to [Gender 2] ratio is approximately [number > 1] to 1.

Race

• There is no racial predilection for [disease name].

• [Disease name] usually affects individuals of the [race 1] race.
• [Race 2] individuals are less likely to develop [disease name].

Risk Factors

• Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] are [risk factor 1], [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

• The majority of patients with [disease name] remain asymptomatic for [duration/years].
• Early clinical features include [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
• If left untreated, [#%] of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
• Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
• Prognosis is generally [excellent/good/poor], and the [1/5/10­year mortality/survival rate] of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#%].

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

• The diagnosis of [disease name] is made when at least [number] of the following [number] diagnostic criteria are met:

• [criterion 1]
• [criterion 2]
• [criterion 3]
• [criterion 4]

Symptoms

• [Disease name] is usually asymptomatic.
• Symptoms of [disease name] may include the following:

• [symptom 1]
• [symptom 2]
• [symptom 3]
• [symptom 4]
• [symptom 5]
• [symptom 6]

Physical Examination

• Patients with [disease name] usually appear [general appearance].
• Physical examination may be remarkable for:

• [finding 1]
• [finding 2]
• [finding 3]
• [finding 4]
• [finding 5]
• [finding 6]

Laboratory Findings

• There are no specific laboratory findings associated with [disease name].

• A [positive/negative] [test name] is diagnostic of [disease name].
• An [elevated/reduced] concentration of [serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other] [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
• Other laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].

Imaging Findings

• There are no [imaging study] findings associated with [disease name].

• [Imaging study 1] is the imaging modality of choice for [disease name].
• On [imaging study 1], [disease name] is characterized by [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
• [Imaging study 2] may demonstrate [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

Other Diagnostic Studies

• [Disease name] may also be diagnosed using [diagnostic study name].
• Findings on [diagnostic study name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

Treatment

Medical Therapy

• There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.

• The mainstay of therapy for [disease name] is [medical therapy 1] and [medical therapy 2].
• [Medical therapy 1] acts by [mechanism of action 1].
• Response to [medical therapy 1] can be monitored with [test/physical finding/imaging] every [frequency/duration].

Surgery

• Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for [disease name].
• [Surgical procedure] in conjunction with [chemotherapy/radiation] is the most common approach to the treatment of [disease name].
• [Surgical procedure] can only be performed for patients with [disease stage] [disease name].

Prevention

• There are no primary preventive measures available for [disease name].

• Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].

• Once diagnosed and successfully treated, patients with [disease name] are followed-up every [duration]. Follow-up testing includes [test 1], [test 2], and [test 3].