[Lupus anticoagulant in pregnancy--first experiences in detection and therapy]

We examined 62 women with three or more recurrent adverse pregnancy outcomes where we excluded the other well known causes of this state. We detected lupus anticoagulant (LAC) in three (5%), with the use of set of coagulation tests: activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), APTT ratio, kaolin clotting time ratio (KCT), APTT of the 50:50 mixture of the patients and control plasmas, APTT ratio of the 50:50 mixture, phospholipid correction test and heat stability test. We excluded connective tissue disorders. Therapy was started between 12th and 14th gestational week. Efficacy was monitored in intervals of 2-6 weeks with following tests: APTT ratio, KCT and plateled count. Patient A, with strong LAC activity and thrombocytophenia, reacted weakly to therapy with Pronison 40 mg/day and Aspirin 80 mg/day. The activity of LAC was slightly diminished but was present all the time. Patient expressed hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus. The outcome of pregnancy was adverse and placenta had typical pathological changes. Patient B, with moderate LAC activity, reacted quickly and completly on therapy with Pronison 20-40 mg/day and Aspirin 80 mg/day. The course of pregnancy was regular. The outcome was successful and placenta had no pathological changes. Patient C, with mild LAC activity, was treated only with Aspirin 80 mg/day. LAC activity rapidly disappeared, the course of pregnancy was regular and outcome was successful. On the basis of the first results we concluded that applied set of tests was sensitive for LAC of different intensity and that dissapeparance of LAC activity with the use of therapy anticipates successful pregnancy outcome.