Master Prothrombin G20210A Mutation with Picmonic for Medicine

Prothrombin G20210A mutation is the second most common genetic clotting disorder in Caucasians. The first and most common disorder is factor V Leiden Thrombophilia.

Prothrombin G20210A Mutation is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Therefore, information about family history is essential for these patients. On average, 50% of children of heterozygous parents (one affected) can inherit this disease.

This disorder is characterized by a genetic point mutation in the prothrombin gene in the 3' Untranslated Region.

Mutation of prothrombin G20210A affects the terminal 3' nucleotide of the 3' untranslated region of the Prothrombin mRNA, resulting in increased prothrombin level in the plasma. Prothrombin G20210A mutation occurs from missense mutation with a characteristic of guanine replacing adenine.

Prothrombin time can increase in this disorder by 1,5-2 times normal.

The high level of prothrombin in the Prothrombin G20210A Mutation will lead to an increased risk of clotting (hypercoagulability). These include a blood clot in the deep veins, legs (DVT), and clots that travel to the lung (pulmonary embolism).

The presence of recurrent DVT in a patient, especially in young patients, can lead to suspicion of inherited blood clotting disorder (thrombophilia). Healthcare providers should include prothrombin G20210A mutation as one of the differential diagnoses.

Oral contraceptives have a risk of thrombosis and cardiovascular events and should be avoided in prothrombin G20210A mutation patients.

Pregnancy can cause increased procoagulants and decreased anticoagulants. These conditions and the presence of blood stasis due to compression from pregnancy will increase the risk of thrombosis in prothrombin G20210A mutation patients.

Patients after surgery should be monitored due to the risk of blood stasis with thrombosis due to prolonged immobility.

Long flights should be taken cautiously in patients with prothrombin G20210A mutation due to increased thrombosis resulting from prolonged immobility in the passenger seat.

Anticoagulation is used in patients with Prothrombin G20210A Mutation with the presence of thromboses such as DVT or pulmonary embolism. Warfarin may be used as an anticoagulant to manage this disorder. Patients without thrombosis are not given the anticoagulant routinely, but counseling should be held with high-risk conditions such as pregnancy, surgery, and acute illness.