Postoperative thrombotic complications in patients with lupus anticoagulant: increased risk after vascular procedures

This study retrospectively analyzes the nature of postoperative thrombotic complications in patients with the lupus anticoagulant. Tests in 84 patients were positive for the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies by an abnormal rabbit brain neutralization procedure, positive for the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies, or both. Twenty-three of these 84 patients had 51 separate surgical procedures, 18 vascular and 33 nonvascular. Four patients had 11 postoperative thrombotic complications (during same hospitalization), involving peripheral arteries in nine cases, vein in one, and coronary artery in one. Nine of the 18 vascular procedures were complicated by thrombosis, whereas only two of the 33 nonvascular procedures were complicated by thrombosis (p less than 0.025). Three of the seven patients who had a vascular procedure suffered multiple postoperative thrombotic complications, and ultimately all three required an amputation. At the time of these thrombotic complications, all three patients had not received any perioperative medications (anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, and/or corticosteroids). Further analysis revealed a correlation between preoperative medications and the lack of postoperative complications, suggesting that perioperative corticosteroids, anticoagulants, and/or antiplatelet agents may protect against postoperative thrombosis. We conclude that patients with the lupus anticoagulant having surgical procedures carry a significant risk of postoperative thrombotic complications, particularly after vascular procedures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)