Hypercoagulability markers in young asymptomatic heterozygous carriers of factor V Leiden (G1691A) or prothrombin (G20210A) variant

BackgroundMutations in factor V (factor V Leiden-G1691A) and prothrombin (G20210A) genes are important risk factors for thrombophilia due to their high incidence in patients with thromboembolic events, especially among the young. However, it is not clear if levels of hypercoagulability markers are significantly altered in asymptomatic young carriers of factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A.MethodsHemostatic status of 32 asymptomatic young individuals carrying these mutations and of 18 normal control individuals was investigated through the determination of plasma thrombomodulin (TM), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT) and D-dimer.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in these hemostatic markers when comparing groups of individuals carrying mutations and the control group.ConclusionAnalysis of these results leads to the conclusion that the presence of these mutations, in the absence of acquired risk factors, does not constantly predispose these young carriers to a state of hypercoagulability.