acquired hypercoagulable states
Last reviewed 01/2018
Secondary hypercoagulable states are acquired during life, usually in an individual who is unwell or immobile.
The common causes of a secondary hypercoagulable state fall into three main categories:
- venous stasis caused by:
- immobility
- obesity
- congestive cardiac failure
- posteroperative bedrest
- coagulation factor activation caused by:
- malignant disease
- pregnancy
- oestrogen and oral contraceptive use
- nephrotic syndrome
- antiphospholipid syndrome
- platelet activation caused by:
- myeloproliferative disorders
- thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Commonly an acute thrombotic episode results in an individual who acquires a hypercoagulable state on the background of a primary hypercoagulability.
Reference:
- Schafer, AI. (1994). Hypercoagulable states: molecular genetics to clinical practice. Lancet, 344, 1739-42.