Health Encyclopedia

Lupus anticoagulants

Definition

Lupus anticoagulants are antibodies against phospholipids (substances in the lining of cells) that prevent blood clotting in a test tube. Persons with these antibodies may have an abnormally high risk of blood clotting.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Lupus anticoagulants are usually found in persons with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They may also be found in persons who take certain medications, including phenothiazines, phenytoin, hydralazine, quinine, amoxicillin, and birth control pills. Persons with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), infections, and certain tumors may have lupus anticoagulants.

Some people have no risk factors for this condition. In some cases, it is linked to an increased risk of blood clots and may be the cause of recurrent miscarriages.

Symptoms

Blood clots
Recurrent miscarriages

There may be no symptoms.

Signs and tests

The following tests may be done:

Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Thromboplastin inhibition test
Russell viper venom time

Treatment

No treatment is required when there are no symptoms. If clots occur, your health care provider may prescribe blood thinners (heparin followed by warfarin). Higher-than-usual doses of warfarin may be needed. Steroids sometimes help lower antibody levels, but it is not clear whether this decreases clotting risk.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome is usually good with appropriate therapy. Some patients have difficult-to-control clots with recurrent symptoms.

Complications

Stroke
Heart attack
Blood clot in lungs (pulmonary embolism)

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you notice symptoms of a blood clot, which include swelling or redness in the leg, shortness of breath, or pain, numbness and pallor in an arm or leg.

Prevention

Awareness of risk factors may allow early diagnosis. Prevention may not be possible.

References

Harris ED, Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, Sledge CB. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005.

Review Date:2/6/2007
Reviewed By:William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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