In general, the incidence of VTE rises exponentially with age and increases dramatically after the age of 60 years [9]

In general, the incidence of VTE rises exponentially with age and increases dramatically after the age of 60 years [9]. found. Among 226 Korean patients with VTE, 130 exhibited no thrombophilia and 55 patients did after exclusion of 41 patients without confirmatory test. The most common form was protein S deficiency (31 of 55, 56%) followed by protein C deficiency, antithrombin deficiency, and APLS. When comparing patients with a VTE or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) according to the presence of thrombophilia, thrombophilia was associated with younger age (P = 0.001 for VTE; P 0.001 for DVT) and a family history (P 0.001 for VTE and DVT). Conclusion We did not find any factor V Leiden mutation in Korean subjects at high risk for thrombophilia. Therefore, this testing is not warranted. Thrombophilia was associated with VTE in younger age and a family history. strong class=”kwd-title” Keywords: Thrombophilia, Venous thrombosis, Venous thromboembolism, Korea INTRODUCTION Thrombophilia is a condition that increases the risk of thromboembolic events via altered hemostasis, WM-1119 shifting the balance in favor of thrombus formation. This condition can be inherited or acquired. The most typical form of acquired thrombophilia is usually antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS) and this can be detected as a lupus anticoagulant or as anticardiolipin antibodies. Inherited forms of thrombophilia include deficiencies in one of the three natural anticoagulants: antithrombin, proteins C and S, which have been linked to familial venous thrombosis. Inherited thrombophilia can also be caused by the factor V Leiden mutation, and by the prothrombin G20210A mutation, which predispose to dysfunctions in CD86 natural anticoagulants. The mutation spectra of inherited thrombophilia in Asian patients differ from those in Western countries. Activated protein C (APC) resistance caused by a factor V Leiden mutation and an increased plasma prothrombin level caused by prothrombin G20210A mutation is known to be the most common cause of a venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Caucasian ethnic groups [1]. However, deficiencies in natural anticoagulants such as WM-1119 protein C, protein S, and antithrombin-III are known to be the most common causes of inherited thrombophilia in Asian patients [2,3]. In patients with a VTE and thrombophilia, the intensity and duration of anticoagulation therapy can help decrease the complications and mortality caused by a recurrent VTE; however, clinical evidence including randomized controlled trials is insufficient. Moreover, despite several studies on inherited thrombophilia in Western and in other Asian countries, there has been very little analysis on inherited thrombophilia in patients with a VTE or arterial thromboembolism (ATE) in Korean patients [4,5]. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of thrombophilia in Korean patients with an ATE or VTE, and to evaluate the characteristics WM-1119 of the VTE in those with thrombophilia. METHODS Between August 2006 and March 2015, 294 patients underwent screening for inherited thrombophilia due to an ATE or symptoms associated with a VTE at a single tertiary referral WM-1119 center, and these patients were eligible for this study. In general, such screening was performed for the patients according to the guidelines of the international consensus statement for VTE [1], and for patients with an ATE without a definite cause of thromboembolisms. Therefore, such screening for thrombophilia was not performed for all those patients with an ATE or a VTE during the study period. The study was initiated after obtaining approval from the Institutional Review Board at our institution. The need for informed consent for the review of these medical records was not required by the board because this was a retrospective study. All patients were admitted to hospital or presented to our outpatient clinic with symptoms associated with an ATE or a VTE. Screening for thrombophilia included evaluations of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations, measures of the levels of protein C (total antigen, activity) and protein S (total antigen, free form, activity), the antithrombin level, and the.