Acquired hypercoagulable states

Secondary hypercoagulable states are acquired during life, usually in an individual who is unwell or immobile.

The common causes of a secondary hypercoagulable state fall into three main categories:

• venous stasis caused by:
  • immobility
  • obesity
  • congestive cardiac failure
  • posteroperative bedrest
    
    
• coagulation factor activation caused by:
  • malignant disease
  • pregnancy
  • oestrogen and oral contraceptive use
  • nephrotic syndrome
  • antiphospholipid syndrome
    
    
• platelet activation caused by:
  • myeloproliferative disorders
  • thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Commonly an acute thrombotic episode results in an individual who acquires a hypercoagulable state on the background of a primary hypercoagulability.

Reference:

• Schafer, AI. (1994). Hypercoagulable states: molecular genetics to clinical practice. Lancet, 344, 1739-42.