Polymorphisms of coagulation factor genes - a review

Common genetic variants of coagulation factor genes associated with differe nces in concentration and/or function of coagulation factors have been stud ied in search of variability that could explain the individual susceptibili ty to thrombosis and atherothrombotic diseases. The more outstanding polymo rphisms in genes of factors involved in coagulation and fibrinolysis descri bed in the literature (such as fibrinogen, factor XIII, glycoprotein Ilb/II Ia, von Willebrand factor, factors VII, VIII and IX, factor V, ATIII and pr otein C system factors, prothrombin, PAI-1 and fibrinolytic system) are rev iewed in the context of factor's structure and function and also in its pro posed relevance for thrombotic and atherothrombotic risk definition.