Protein C deficiency is a hereditary thrombophilia that substantially elevates the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). When a patient with confirmed Protein C deficiency presents with VTE, establishing the appropriate anticoagulant strategy — and how long to continue it — is a central clinical question.
This protocol applies to patients with Protein C deficiency and venous thromboembolism who have completed primary short-term treatment. In this setting, evidence-based guidance supports testing for thrombophilia — including Protein C deficiency — to directly inform decisions on the duration of ongoing anticoagulant therapy.
For patients with VTE provoked by a nonsurgical major transient risk factor who have completed primary short-term treatment, the ASH guideline panel suggests testing for thrombophilia to guide anticoagulant treatment duration.
The panel suggests indefinite anticoagulant treatment for patients with thrombophilia and stopping anticoagulant treatment for patients without thrombophilia.
DOI: 10.1111/jth.15732
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