ABSTRACT
The term ‘thrombophilia’ is designated to describe situations where there is a tendency to thrombosis. In the past, this term was reserved for thromboembolic episodes of unknown etiology (idiopathic), thrombosis in the young, or a major thrombotic event. Only recently, with significant progress having been made in understanding the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of thrombosis, have we been able to identify a great proportion of causes and defects that lead to thrombotic events. While the term ‘thrombophilia’ is usually reserved for inherited thrombophilic risk factors (Table 10.1), acquired hypercoagulable states (Table 10.2) are more commonly associated with thromboembolic episodes.
