ABSTRACT
The clinical identification of the patient with a hypercoagulable state responsible for arterial thromboembolic disease can be a difficult clinical problem since the manifestations of the occlusive disease, be it myocardial infarction, stroke, or limb-threatening ischemia, are frequently the same regardless of the underlying vascular pathology. Furthermore, the therapy treating the clinical emergency may distract the clinician from seeking a diagnosis of a thrombotic tendency, since it is often assumed that atherosclerosis is the underlying pathological problem. It is important to consider the possible presence of a hypercoagulable state in order to appropriately treat the patient’s acute event, to help prevent recurrent events, and in some cases to appropriately counsel family members regarding thrombotic risk.
