Venous thromboembolism is a complex disease resulting from a multitude of interactions of genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, genetic mutations have been described that are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Among these, resistance to activated protein C caused by the factor V G1691A (factor V Leiden) mutation, and the factor II G20210A mutation, are the most frequent causes of inherited thrombophilia [1,2]. Detection of factor II and factor of V mutations represents a valuable finding for medical treatment of these patients and greatly influences their therapy.

Several methods, based on simultaneous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the corresponding gene fragments have been described for the detection of these mutations [3-6]. We have developed a method for multiplex PCR from whole blood, for the detection of the factor II and factor V mutations. It is equally informative, more rapid and less expensive than the individual detection of these mutations.