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Hypercoagulability test strategies in the protein C and protein S pathway
Elizabeth M Van Cott1, Britt L Soderberg, Michael Laposata
1Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Room 235 Gray Building, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Abstract:
The protein C-protein S pathway is critical in controlling normal clot formation to provide homeostasis between thrombosis and hemorrhage. Abnormalities have been described in which the pathway is altered because factor V cannot be degraded by activated protein C, producing activated protein C resistance. It has been known for nearly two decades that deficiencies in protein C and protein S can result in impaired inhibition of clot formation resulting in increased risk for thrombosis. This article describes the testing strategies associated with the diagnosis of activated protein C resistance, protein C deficiency, and protein S deficiency.