 There are divergent views as to whether everyone with an unprovoked episode of thrombosis should be investigated for thrombophilia . Even those with a form of thrombophilia may not necessarily be at risk of further thrombosis , while recurrent thrombosis is more likely in those who have had previous thrombosis even in those who have no detectable thrombophilic abnormalities . Recurrent thromboembolism , or thrombosis in unusual sites ( e.g. the hepatic vein in Budd @-@ Chiari syndrome ) , is a generally accepted indication for screening . It is more likely to be cost @-@ effective in people with a strong personal or family history of thrombosis . In contrast , the combination of thrombophilia with other risk factors may provide an indication for preventative treatment , which is why thrombophilia testing may be performed even in those who would not meet the strict criteria for these tests . Searching for a coagulation abnormality is not normally undertaken in patients in whom thrombosis has an obvious trigger . For example , if the thrombosis is due to immobilization after recent orthopedic surgery , it is regarded as " provoked " by the immobilization and the surgery and it is less likely that investigations will yield clinically important results . 
