ABSTRACT
Introduction 85 Clinical approach to the patient with thrombosis or
thrombophilia 85 Laboratory evaluation 87
Inherited hypercoagulable disorders 89 Management 99 References 102
Improved understanding of the molecular basis of the coagulation mechanism coupled with clinical investigation has facilitated the identification of hemostatic risk factors in substantial numbers of patients presenting with venous thrombosis. Individuals with a tendency to thrombosis are defined as having thrombophilia, and the term congenital or inherited thrombophilia is applied to individuals with genetic defects that predispose them toward venous thromboembolism.
