thrombophilia

Last reviewed 01/2018

An inherited tendency to thrombosis is termed thrombophilia.

The genetic causes of many of the thrombophilias have recently been identified.

In many cases, specific prothrombotic mutations in antithrombotic factors are responsible.

There are three systems which are commonly involved in the pathogenesis of thrombophilia:

• the antithrombin / heparin system
• the protein C / protein S system
• the fibrinolytic system