Acquired thrombophilic syndromes

As the biochemical mechanisms of hypercoagulable states are revealed, the s yndromes of venous thromboembolism have been increasingly associated with s pecific aberrations. Most of these changes involve an increase in procoagul ant potential, for example, by activation of the coagulation cascade, or by a defect or decrease in natural inhibitors of clotting. Similar abnormalit ies of the fibrinolytic pathways may contribute, as can loss of inhibitory mechanisms of endothelial cells, as well as changes in vascular anatomy and theologic patterns of blood flow. All of these factors can directly influe nce thrombus formation and/or the physiologic response to the thrombus.(1) (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.