The Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center of Nevada

2020 W. Palomino Lane Suite 110

Las Vegas, Nevada 89106

702-385-2702

since May 5, 2008

Last updated May 5, 2008

webmaster RIS

Also, please note that under the message board there are several pages of questions and answers pertaining to this disorder.  Please check there before sending in your comments of questions to the web master as the answer to your question may already have been answered.

What Is It??    ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY

The Anticardiolipin Antibody Syndrome (Lupus Anticoagulant) is caused by an antibody response against phospholipid (a major component of the cell wall).  The antibody response results in a heterogenous group of clinical conditions including blood clots, stroke, heart attack, low platelet count, spontaneous abortions, and vague neurologic symptoms.  This abnormality was first identified as a prolongation of the clotting test (the PTT) in persons who had systemic lupus erythematosus, therefore the name lupus anticoagulant was coined.  Although there is a high incidence of this in persons with lupus, it occurs in many persons without lupus and does not predict future development of lupus.  Although some persons have prolongation of clotting tests, they do not bleed but are instead prone to the development of blood clots.

Persons with this disorder may be asymptomatic or have various syndromes.  Affected persons may have recurrent blood clots involving the heart and resulting in a heart attack, involving the vessels to the brain and resulting in a stroke or other neurologic symptoms, or involving the vessels feeding the developing fetus in pregnant women resulting in miscarriage.  The blood clots may also occur in the extremities (deep vein thrombosis) or lung (pulmonary embolus).

How Do You Get It??

There is no evidence to suggest that this disorder is inherited and the cause of it is not known.

Who Knows If They Have It??

Testing for this disorder may be done by clotting tests specifically designed to detect the lupus anticoagulant or by evaluating for the presence of the antibody.  These blood tests are done by a blood sample that requires special handling in a coagulation laboratory for accurate diagnosis.  to diagnose this disorder, two tests must be done on different occasions because the antibody may wax and wane.  The clotting test is inaccurate in persons on blood thinners or with underlying bleeding disorders.

The lupus anticoagulant/ anticardiolipin antibody test may be positive in persons with infections, using antibiotics, or other medications and usually returns to normal when the infection is cleared or the medication stopped.

What Should You Do About It??

The optimum treatment for these patients is not known.  Persons with the abnormality who have had a deep vein thrombosis are at increased risk of developing recurrent blood clots and should be maintained on blood thinners.  Persons with other manifestations may benefit from aspirin like agents with or without the addition of blood thinners.  Women with the abnormality who become pregnant may be at increased risk of miscarriage and should be managed with medication and close monitoring during pregnancy.  some patients require additional medications to suppress the antibody.

Send mail to rshtcn@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: March 02, 2008