[Activated protein C resistance in patients with venous leg ulcer]

Patients with venous leg ulcers often show evidence of previous deep venous thrombosis. Resistance to activated protein C (APC-resistance) is an autosomal dominant inherited defect in the anticoagulant system which is a significant risk factor for development of venous thrombosis. APC-resistance was determined in plasma samples obtained from 46 unselected, consecutively admitted patients with venous leg ulcers, included during a six-month period. Twelve of the 46 patients (26%) (95% confidence limits: 14%-41%) had APC-resistance. APC-resistance is thus a common anticoagulant deficiency among venous leg ulcer patients and should be considered a risk factor for development of venous leg ulcer disease.