hypercoagulable state

hypercoagulable state A condition in which there is an abnormally increased tendency toward blood clotting (coagulation). There are numerous hypercoagulable states. Each has different causes, and each increases a person’s chances of developing blood clots, such as those associated with thrombophlebitis (inflammation due to a clot in the veins). The causes include medications (particularly female hormones and birth control pills), surgery (especially hip, knee, and urinary system procedures), pregnancy, phospholipid antibodies in blood (anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant), cancer (although most patients with hypercoagulable states do not have cancer), elevated blood homocysteine levels, and inherited protein deficiencies, such as deficiencies of antithrombin III, factor V Leiden, protein S, and protein C. Treatment involves avoidance of the triggering mechanism and sometimes use of blood-thinning medication. See also antiphospholipid syndrome; estrogenassociated hypercoagulability.