In this episode, Drs. Ronak Mistry and Jori May discuss the challenging decision of when to test for inherited thrombophilias and how results inform anticoagulation management. The use of thrombophilia testing has long been debated in the hematology community, due in large part to limited data and the complexity of estimating recurrent thrombotic risk. Through the case of a 36-year-old woman with a proximal deep vein thrombosis 4 weeks after an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, we explore the importance of defining provoking factors, evaluating bleeding risk, exploring previous thrombotic challenges and family history, and ultimately whether thrombophilia testing may be helpful to determine the need for long term anticoagulation.
Learning Objectives:
- Accurately interpret the results of laboratory tests for inherited hypercoagulable disorders.
- Identify appropriate clinical situations where testing for inherited hypercoagulable disorders can be considered.
- Discuss how inherited thrombophilias influence decisions on the duration of anticoagulation in VTE without major transient risk factors.
Clinical Pearls:
- Assay selection, appropriate timing of testing, and accurate interpretation of results are foundational to the use of thrombophilia testing in the care of patients with VTE.
- The use of thrombophilia testing to guide the duration of anticoagulation in patients with VTE without major transient risk factors is debated and therefore must be individualized to every patient.
What is HemeTalks: Conversations in Hematology Education?
HemeTalks: Conversations in Hematology Education is the latest podcast channel by the American Society of Hematology (ASH)! Explore educational content crafted by subject-matter experts from ASH, tailored to fulfill your professional education requirements. Whether you are a clinician or researcher, HemeTalks provides innovative education designed for every career stage and subspecialty.