A medicare rebate is available for this test if the patient meets the following criteria:
- Patient has a personal history of a proven venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
OR
- Patient has a first degree relative who has been proven to have a mutation.
If the patient does not meet either criteria then the test will be billed at $60 non-MBS to patient.
APPLICATION: This test is performed by a PCR technique that detects the Prothrombin G20210A mutation and Factor V G1691A mutation simultaneously.
INTERPRETATION: The Factor V G1691A variation is responsible for the activated protein C resistance phenotype detected by functional assays. When compared to the wild type activated factor V protein, this mutation leads to an increased resistance / slower cleavage rate of the activated factor V Leiden by the anticoagulant activated protein C. In Caucasians this common molecular polymorphism may be the predisposing risk factor in as many as 20% of venous thrombotic events, and in carriers may increase their risk of venous thrombosis by seven fold.
