Venous thromboembolic disease is a complex and multifactorial pathology, the result of the interaction of both genetic and environmental factors. The Virchow triad, first described in 1859, is still valid to explain the pathogenesis of thrombosis, where three main factors are reflected: a) hypercoagulable state; b) impaired blood flow; c) endothelial injury. The outbreak of a new COVID-19 pandemic has led to drastic confinement measures, with the consequent syndrome of immobility, as occurred in Spain between the months of March to June 2020. Pregnancy and hormonal contraception have proven to be an environmental factor predisposing to venous thrombosis. The presence of genetic factors, such as the mutation of the prothrombin gene G20210A, has been shown to be a risk factor for the presentation of venous thrombosis. We present the case of a 23-year-old non-smoking woman, a heterozygous carrier of a prothrombin gene mutation G20210A (hypercoagulability), who after confinement due to COVID-19 (impaired blood flow due to immobility) and use of hormonal patch contraceptives (endothelial abnormality), triggered deep vein thrombosis (DVT) / pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) that required hospital admission; and who, after rapid withdrawal of anticoagulant treatment, presented a second and a third episode of DVT. We highlight the usefulness of evaluating risk factors in G20210A heterozygous patients and the proper management of anticoagulation to avoid recurrences in patients susceptible to DVT / PE.
Venous thromboembolic disease is a complex and multifactorial pathology, the result of the interaction of both genetic and environmental factors. The Virchow triad, first described in 1859, is still valid to explain the pathogenesis of thrombosis, where three main factors are reflected: a) hypercoagulable state; b) impaired blood flow; c) endothelial injury. The outbreak of a new COVID-19 pandemic has led to drastic confinement measures, with the consequent syndrome of immobility, as occurred in Spain between the months of March to June 2020. Pregnancy and hormonal contraception have proven to be an environmental factor predisposing to venous thrombosis. The presence of genetic factors, such as the mutation of the prothrombin gene G20210A, has been shown to be a risk factor for the presentation of venous thrombosis. We present the case of a 23-year-old non-smoking woman, a heterozygous carrier of a prothrombin gene mutation G20210A (hypercoagulability), who after confinement due to COVID-19 (impaired blood flow due to immobility) and use of hormonal patch contraceptives (endothelial abnormality), triggered deep vein thrombosis (DVT) / pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) that required hospital admission; and who, after rapid withdrawal of anticoagulant treatment, presented a second and a third episode of DVT. We highlight the usefulness of evaluating risk factors in G20210A heterozygous patients and the proper management of anticoagulation to avoid recurrences in patients susceptible to DVT / PE.
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