Does the Presence of Thrombophilia Help Predict Recurrent VTE?

Patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) are often tested for hereditary and acquired thrombophilias (hypercoagulable conditions) to help predict recurrence and guide duration of anticoagulation. But the value of such testing remains uncertain.

Here, investigators conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 51 studies that compared the risk of recurrent VTE after discontinuation of anticoagulation in patients with and without various thrombophilias. Together, the studies included nearly 35,000 patients; one third of the initial VTEs were unprovoked, and 10% were estrogen associated.