Deficiencies of proteins C, S and antithrombin and activated protein C resistance--their involvement in the occurrence of Arterial thromboses

Abstract

Deficiencies of natural anticoagulants protein C, protein S, antithrombin and activated protein C resistance are components of inherited thrombophilia. Inherited thrombophilia was defined as a genetically determined tendency towards venous thromboembolism, which characteristically occurs in young patients (before 40 to 45 years old), without apparent causes, and tend to recur. There have been many debates about the implication of these defects in arterial thromboses (peripheral artery disease, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction) in the recent years. The screening for thrombophilia is recommended for young patients with spontaneous thromboses, arterial infarctions, family history of thromboses, personal history of recurrent abortions, with thrombosis of venous dural sinuses or strokes or myocardial infarctions, in patients with venous thrombosis in unusual sites, because the diagnosis of such a disease leads to a treatment that is lifesaving [1,2].