Deficiency of the endogenous anticoagulant proteins antithrombin, protein C, and protein S are significantly associated with an increased risk of a first episode of venous thromboembolism, according to a study published in Thrombosis Research.
To determine the impact of inherited deficiency of natural anticoagulants on VTE risk, the authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 studies comprising a total of 3,452 cases and 11,562 controls. The investigation showed a significantly increased risk of first VTE in antithrombin deficient subjects compared to controls (OR 16.26), as well as an in protein C (OR 7.51) and protein S deficient patients (OR 5.37). For VTE recurrence, they found a significant association with antithrombin (OR 3.61) and protein C deficiencies (OR 2.94), but not with protein S deficiency.
“The strength of association between the deficiency of these natural anticoagulants and the risk of a first episode of VTE . . . may justify the research of these uncommon anticoagulant deficiencies, in particular in patients with unprovoked events,” wrote Dr. Matteo Nicola Dario Di Minno of Federico II University in Naples, Italy and his associates.
Read the full article in Thrombosis Research here: (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2015.03.010)