Pulmonary Emboli Are Uncommon in People with the Factor V Leiden Mutation

Patients with FVL are at lower risk for PE than people without this mutation.

Mutations in the factor V and prothrombin genes occur in up to 5% of people in Western countries and are associated with risk for venous thrombosis. Thrombi can be located in the lungs (pulmonary embolism [PE]) or in the proximal or distal veins of the limbs (deep-vein thrombosis [DVT]), but whether a predilection exists for particular locations in people with factor V Leiden (FVL) or prothrombin G20210A gene mutations is unclear.

In an Italian study, researchers retrospectively reviewed the records of 402 patients with first episodes of objectively confirmed venous thrombosis (PE or DVT). Isolated PE occurred in 72 patients, PE with DVT occurred in 69, and DVT alone occurred in 261. FVL was detected in 115 patients, G20210A was found in 87,…

Reviewing Author

David Green, MD, PhD