Thrombophilia: what's a practitioner to do?

Abstract

Management of thrombophilia is an ever-changing field as new disorders are described and additional clinical experience accrues. This paper addresses three common management issues in the care of patients with thrombophilia. The first two topics are updates for common but perplexing hypercoagulable states and the last topic introduces a new option for optimal management of oral anticoagulant therapy. Dr. Jacob Rand updates and organizes the approach to patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. This syndrome is a common acquired thrombophilic state, but the diagnosis and treatment of patients remains a challenge. Dr. Rand outlines his diagnostic and treatment strategies based on the current understanding of this complicated syndrome. Dr. Barbara Konkle addresses the special concerns of managing women with thrombophilia. Hematologists are often asked to advise on the risks of hormonal therapy or pregnancy in a woman with a personal or family history of thrombosis or with an abnormal laboratory finding. Dr. Konkle reviews the available data on the risks of hormonal therapy and pregnancy in women with and without known underlying thrombophilic risk factors. In Section III, Dr. Gail Macik will discuss a new approach to warfarin management. Several instruments are now available for home prothrombin time (PT) monitoring. Self-testing and self management of warfarin are slowly emerging as reliable alternatives to traditional provider-based care and Dr. Macik reviews the instruments available and the results of studies that support this new management option.