Can we use biomarkers of coagulation to predict which patients with foot and ankle injury will develop deep vein thrombosis?

Patients with foot and ankle trauma treated with leg casts are at risk of venous thrombosis (VTE). Tissue injury results in activation of the coagulation cascade through initiation of the extrinsic coagulation pathway. The primary cellular activator of this process is tissue factor (also known as TF, Thromboplastin, Coagulation factor III), which is released by tissues in response to injury [1]. Tissue factor acts as the co-factor for factor VII. The combination of these results in activated VIIa, which activates factors X and IX [2].

Source: Foot and Ankle Surgery - August 16, 2017 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Ben A. Hickey, Andrew Cleves, Raza Alikhan, Neil Pugh, Len Nokes, Anthony Perera Source Type: research