Thrombophilia and activated protein C resistance

In addition to classic vascular insults such as inflammation, trauma, malignancy, and surgery, a number of hereditary coagulation defects predispose patients to a wide array of thrombotic complications. A novel genetic defect in factor V allowing for resistance to its cleavage by activated protein C has recently been implicated in a significant number of cases of familial thrombophilia. A brief case report and review of the literature is presented to familiarize surgeons to this important and quite frequent cause of hypercoagulability.