ABSTRACT
Young patients with venous thromboembolism should have an investigation of biochemical and genetic risk factors performed because the chances of identifying an abnormality are higher than in elderly patients with thrombosis and because the diagnosis of inherited thrombophilia may have a significant influence on future management. In addition, for female patients the detection of inherited thrombophilia may have an impact on their choice of birth control and on the management of future pregnancies. Inherited thrombophilia is not only related to deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism but also to certain complications during pregnancy. It is therefore important to have a knowledge of the dif f erent variants of inherited thrombophilia and their diagnosis, as well as of the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic complications and how this differs from prevention and treatment in patients without inherited thrombophilia.
