APC RESISTANCE IN AN ELITE FEMALE ATHLETE

In a routine checkup the family history of an elite female mogul skier was found to contain an unusually high number of thrombotic incidents . This prompted us to do diagnostic thrombophilia studies, which revea led a resistance to activated protein C, a heterozygous factor V Leide n disorder. This is the first documented case of APC resistance in an elite female athlete. Since high performance sports are known to carry an increased risk of thrombogenesis, measures to avoid thrombosis or a thromboembolic event must be initiated in case of known APC resistan ce. Suitable measures are early anticoagulation during periods of immo bilization, a single dose of low molecular weight heparin, leg muscle exercises for long distance flights, and avoidance of hemoconcentratio n with a sufficient oral fluid intake.