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Published on: February 10, 2023
Superficial vein thrombosis and hypercoagulable states: the evidence
Luis R Leon1, Nicos Labropoulos
1Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA. lleon@lumc.edu
Aim:
To assess the demographic features of superficial vein thrombosis and its relation with the occurrence of hypercoagulable states.
Methods:
Data were gathered from pertinent papers using a MEDLINE search and an exhaustive bibliography review. Studies were considered only when they contained material to superficial vein thrombosis and hypercoagulable states.
Results:
The difference among the patients and the methods used made the comparison difficult and did not allow a pool analysis of the data. Superficial vein thrombosis is a common condition, and its prevalence is underestimated. Several risk factors are associated with superficial vein thrombosis, and a strong relation was seen with certain thrombophilias.
Conclusions:
Although superficial vein thrombosis most often is perceived as benign, it can coexist with hypercoagulable states. In patients with spontaneous onset of superficial vein thrombosis, there should be a lower threshold in testing for hypercoagulable states.
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