A tendency for blood to clot too readily due to an inherited abnormality in proteins such as factor V. It may not be recognized until specific circumstances such as injury or air travel cause symptoms or signs. (See also thrombosis, deep vein.)
n. an inherited or acquired condition that predisposes individuals to *thrombosis. Inherited thrombophilias are established causes of systemic thrombosis due to defects in proteins involved in regulating *blood coagulation. Causes include *Factor V Leiden gene mutation, a *prothrombin gene mutation, deficiencies in proteins C and S and antithrombin III, and hyperhomocysteinaemia (see homocysteine). —thrombophilic adj.
Health Encyclopedia