%0 Journal Article
%T Association between Thrombophilia and the Post-Thrombotic Syndrome
%A Anat Rabinovich
%A Susan R. Kahn
%J International Journal of Vascular Medicine
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/643036
%X The post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a chronic condition that develops in 20%¨C40% of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) patients. While risk factors that predispose to the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are widely known, factors that influence the development of PTS after DVT have not been well elucidated. Over 10% of the general population is affected by one or more identifiable inherited thrombophilias which have been shown to underlie at least 1/3 of cases of VTE. The various thrombophilias are important risk factors for VTE, but it is unknown whether they also increase the risk for development of PTS. We performed a review of studies that have reported on the association between thrombophilia and the development of PTS in populations of patients with DVT and with chronic venous ulcers. Studies vary with regards to the definition of PTS, study design, follow-up period, and present conflicting results. Based on these results, the question of whether thrombophilia predisposes to the development of PTS remains unanswered. 1. Introduction The post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a chronic condition that develops in 20%¨C40% of patients within 1-2 years after symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) [1]. There is no gold standard test for the diagnosis of PTS and the diagnosis is primarily based on clinical features. Patients with PTS experience pain, heaviness, and swelling in the affected limb which tend to be aggravated by standing or walking and improved with rest and recumbency. Edema, venous ectasia, hyperpigmentation, eczema, and varicose collateral veins may be apparent. In severe cases, leg ulceration can occur [2]. While hereditary and acquired risk factors that predispose to the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are widely known [3], factors that influence the development of PTS after DVT have not been well elucidated. One reason for the lack of understanding of PTS risk factors could be that most investigations have been limited to small retrospectively studied groups, with only a limited number of studies being prospectively undertaken over the long term [4¨C6]. Furthermore, great differences exist between studies regarding the definition of PTS, study design, follow-up period, and the possibility of bias when the effects of recurrent DVT cannot be clearly distinguished from PTS [7, 8]. Some papers use the clinical classification (clinical, aetiological, anatomical, and pathological (CEAP classification)) recommended by the International Consensus Committee on Chronic Venous Disease for evaluation of PTS [9], while others have used
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijvm/2013/643036/