Factor V Leiden mutation does not account for central venous catheter-related thrombosis

Indwelling central venous access devices are frequently associated with catheter-related thrombosis. The factor V Leiden gene mutation decreases the sensitivity of factor V to the anticoagulant activity of activated protein C, and has been shown to be the most common inherited defect associated with a hypercoagulable state. In this study, we sought to determine whether an increased prevalence of the factor V gene mutation could be identified in individuals with malignancies who had catheter-related thrombosis. Twenty-seven patients who had catheter-related thrombosis were identified and two (7%) tested positive for the heterozygous presence of the factor V gene mutation. Since the vast majority of patients with venous access devices who developed catheter-related thrombosis did not have the factor V gene mutation, pre-catheter placement testing for this mutation would have limited clinical utility.