An update on hypercoagulable disorders

Venous thrombosis is a cause of considerable morbidity and is often respons ible for chronic venous disorders that frequently lead to visits to dermato logists and others involved in wound healing. Over the past several years, many new causes of thrombophila have been identified and have dramatically altered the approach to patients presenting with thrombosis. Newly describe d abnormalities associated with thrombophilia include the syndrome of activ ated protein C resistance, the prothrombin 20210A mutation, hyperhomocystei nemia, and elevated levels of coagulation factors VIII and XI. Clinicians c an now frequently determine causes of thromboses that have previously been deemed idiopathic.