Talk:Lupus anticoagulant

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Lupus anticoagulant is an immunoglobulin that interferes with the body's normal clotting mechanism. Despite its name, lupus anticoagulant is not exclusively associated with lupus, but can be seen in a range of other conditions as well. The presence of lupus anticoagulant is linked to an increased risk of developing blood clots, a condition known as thrombosis.[1]

Understanding Lupus Anticoagulant[edit source]

Lupus anticoagulant is one of the antiphospholipid antibodies, which also include anticardiolipin antibodies and anti-beta-2-glycoprotein I antibodies. These antibodies are often associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a disorder that increases the risk of clot formation. APS can occur as a primary disorder or in conjunction with other autoimmune diseases, most commonly lupus.[2]

Diagnosis of Lupus Anticoagulant[edit source]

The diagnosis of lupus anticoagulant is made by laboratory testing, often when investigating a patient who has had an unexplained blood clot or recurrent miscarriages. The diagnostic process typically involves a series of coagulation tests, including the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and the dilute Russell's viper venom time (dRVVT).[3]

Clinical Significance of Lupus Anticoagulant[edit source]

Despite its anticoagulant name, the presence of lupus anticoagulant is paradoxically associated with an increased risk of blood clots rather than bleeding. This occurs because lupus anticoagulant interferes with the body's natural anticoagulant pathways. It has been associated with conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and recurrent miscarriages, particularly in individuals with APS.[4]

References[edit source]

Reference 28 [1] Reference 29 [2] Reference 30 [3] Reference 31 [4] Reference 32 [5]

Lupus anticoagulant Resources

Treatment and Management[edit source]

Treatment primarily involves long-term anticoagulation therapy to reduce the risk of thrombotic events. This typically involves oral anticoagulants such as warfarin, or newer direct oral anticoagulants. In certain cases, such as in pregnancy, low-dose aspirin or heparin may be used.[5]

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  5. 5.0 5.1 Miyakis, S., Lockshin , M.D., Atsumi, T., Branch, D.W., Brey, R.L., Cervera, R., Derksen, R.H., De Groot, P.G., Koike, T., Meroni, P.L. (2006). "International consensus statement on an update of the classification criteria for definite antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)". Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 4(2): 295–306. doi:10.1111/j.1538-7836.2006.01753.x. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Miyakis" defined multiple times with different content