Lupus Anticoagulant
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Lupus anticoagulant is a specific immunoglobulin that prolongs the time it takes blood
to clot but does not produce a bleeding disorder. It occurs in approximately 25% of people
who have lupus erythematosus, and is also seen in people who take phenothiazine
medication, as well as in otherwise normal people. In some people it is associated with an
increased risk of blood clots and may be the cause of recurrent spontaneous abortions. If
a secondary disorder such as thrombocytopenia is present, bleeding will probably occur.
Risk factors are lupus erythematosus and recent use of phenothiazine medication.
Symptoms of Lupus Anticoagulant
- nose bleeds
- bleeding gums
- bruising
- skin rash
Note: There may be no symptoms.
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
- vaginal bleeding between periods
- urine, bloody
- skin redness or inflammation
- nosebleed - symptom
- menstrual periods, abnormal
Diagnosis of Lupus Anticoagulant
- a recurrent spontaneous abortion and/or thrombophlebitis
- lupus anticoagulant test abnormal
- an elevated PTT. A test that measures the partial thromboplastin time (a measure
of blood clotting ability) in blood.
Treatment of Lupus Anticoagulant
No treatment is required is someone does not have any symptoms. If
bloods do clots occur, patients are usually anticoagulated with heparin (which is injected
under the skin or given intravenously (IV)) followed by oral warfarin (coumadin) therapy
or several months. Higher than usual doses of warfarin may be required
and the treatment may need to be continued for a longer period of time. In someone with
the lupus anticoagulant the risk of recurrence of both arterial and venous thrombotic
episodes is relatively high. Some patients may need to be on long-term
(even life-long) oral anticoagulation. |
