Antiphospholipid antibodies

• 2 types
  • Lupus anticoagulant
  • Anti-cardiolipin antibodies
• Associated with recurrent fetal loss and thrombocytopenia
• Can occur in persons with no other medical problems
• Proposed mechanism: inhibition of prostacyclin, platelets, or Protein C activation

Lupus Anticoagulant

• Form of an antiphospholipid antibody
• Usually a transient state associated with infection in young children
• In the lab, it produces a prolonged PTT, but in reality it may be associated with thrombosis
• Occassionally, it can be associated with an acquired prothrombin deficiency and present with prolonged PT, PTT, and acute bleeding

return to Hypercoaguable states

CHLA Board review 2005