Purpose: Prothrombin gene mutation G20210A (factor II) is, in frequency, the second genetic polymorphism involved in venous thrombosis. We report a retrospective studies on 38 patients issued from our medical department, all heterozygous for the factor II mutation and a literature review.
Methods: We have studied 38 patients, all heterozygous for the factor II mutation, selected through a population of 516 tested patients issued from our medical department from 1997 to 2002. The research was performed face with history of thrombotic or obstetrical events, angiopathy or familial screening.
Results: Twenty out of thirty-eight patients have at least one episode of venous thrombosis: superficial thromboses, deep thromboses and/or pulmonary embolism. One case of cerebral thrombophlebitis is observed. Venous thrombotic risk factors are associated in 12 cases (60%). Four out of thirty-eight patients have one episode of arterial thrombosis: cardiovascular, peripheral or cerebral. Arterial thrombotic risk factors are associated in all cases. Median age of the first venous thrombosis is earlier than the one of arterial thrombosis (39.11 versus 49.25 years).
Conclusion: Our studies confirms the interest to search the prothrombin gene mutation when faced with a venous thrombotic event (deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism) with or without acquired risk factors. Its involvement in thrombotic arterial disease is still a matter of debate. Data concerning its involvement in systemic diseases and angiopathies (thromboangeitis obliterans, Raynaud's phenomenon and migraine) are still needed. Mechanisms of thromboses could be an increase of prothrombin plasma level with high thrombin synthesis.