Unlike the deficiencies of the anticoagulant proteins antithrombin, protein C and S, rare in
patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE; 5% altogether) and in the general population
(less than 1%), both the gain-of-function mutations of the factor (F) V and prothrombin genes
are common in patients with VTE (around 25 and 10%, respectively) and in the general
population (3–7% and 3%)[1]. The high prevalence of these mutations has prompted a wider
application of thrombophilia screening, not always appropriately. Who should to be …