Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Measurement of Factor V Activity in Human Plasma Using a Microplate Coagulation Assay
Published on: September 9, 2012
Do incident and recurrent venous thromboembolism risks truly differ between heterozygous and homozygous Factor V
J Perez Botero1, W D Ormsby1, A A Ashrani1
1Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Introduction:
While Factor V Leiden (F5 rs6025 A allele) is a known venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk factor, VTE risk among heterozygous vs. homozygous carriers is uncertain.
Materials And Methods:
In a retrospective cohort study of Mayo Clinic patients referred for genotyping between 1996 and 2013, we tested Factor V Leiden genotype as a risk factor for incident and recurrent VTE.
Results:
Among heterozygous (n=268) and homozygous (n=111) carriers, the prevalence of VTE was 54% and 68%, respectively (p=0.016). While mean patient age at first VTE event (43.9 vs. 42.9years; p=0.70) did not differ significantly, median VTE-free survival was modestly shorter for homozygous carriers (56.8 vs 59.5 years; p=0.04). Sixty-nine (48%) and 31 (42%) heterozygous and homozygous carriers had ≥1 VTE recurrence (p=0.42). In a multivariable model, idiopathic incident VTE and a second thrombophilia were associated with increased and anticoagulation duration >6months with reduced hazards of VTE recurrence; Factor V Leiden genotype was not an independent predictor of recurrence.
Conclusions:
Aside from a higher VTE prevalence and modestly reduced VTE-free survival, VTE penetrance and phenotype severity did not differ significantly among homozygous vs. heterozygous carriers, suggesting that VTE prophylaxis and management should not differ by Factor V Leiden genotype.
Related Concept Videos
Relative Risk
Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Hazard Ratio
For example, in a clinical trial evaluating a...

