ACTIVATED PROTEIN-C RESISTANCE-ASSOCIATED WITH FACTOR-V GENE MUTATION- MOST COMMON COAGULATION DEFECT IN VENOUS THROMBOSIS

Deep venous thromboses, in particular when recurrent, can be associate d with chronic venous leg ulcers. Such complications are often seen in dermatology departments and frequently represent a therapeutic proble m. Resistance to activated protein C (APCR) has recently been identifi ed as the most frequent coagulation defect associated with an increase d risk of venous thrombosis. In most cases,APCR is caused by a point m utation in the factor V gene which results in an impaired inactivation of activated factor V (Va). As a consequence of this,an important ant icoagulant mechanism in the physiological balance of the hemostatic sy stem is abolished. This autosomal dominantly inherited genetic defects affects about 5% of the general population. In this article we draw a ttention to the existence of this recently identified, genetically det ermined risk factor for venous thrombosis, describe recent diagnostic developments and discuss therapeutic options.