Hypercoagulability syndromes

Hypercoagulability can be defined as the tendency to have thrombosis as a r esult of certain inherited and/or acquired molecular defects. Clinical mani festations of hypercoagulability can be devastating and even lethal. In the past 20 years, the origin of most of these diverse hypercoagulability synd romes has been elucidated. Currently, hypercoagulability disorders can be c orrectly diagnosed in approximately 80% to 90% of patients. Defining the ca use of hypercoagulability may determine the type and duration of treatment for the associated thrombosis. The discovery of an occult carcinoma allows for the possibility of early and possibly curative treatment. Finding a gen etic defect in coagulation allows for testing of asymptomatic family member s as well. The purpose of this review is to provide internists with a logic al approach to the identification and treatment of hypercoagulability syndr omes.