Pathophysiology of Post-Thrombotic Syndrome: The Effect of Recurrent Venous Thrombosis and Inherited Thrombophilia

Abstract

Post-thrombotic syndrome is an important chronic complication of deep vein thrombosis. This syndrome can be debilitating to patients and has a major economic impact on health care services. The pathophysiology of post-thrombotic syndrome is currently incompletely understood. Because therapeutic options for post-thrombotic syndrome are extremely limited and results are often disappointing, recognizing of the pathophysiology and risk factors of this syndrome is essential to prevent the disabling consequences of this disease. The present paper focuses on risk determinants of post-thrombotic syndrome after deep vein thrombosis. The contribution of recurrent venous thrombosis and inherited thrombophilia to the pathogenesis of this syndrome is reviewed and discussed in details.