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Arterial thrombotic manifestations in young women associated with the lupus anticoagulant
E J Ter Borg1, J Van der Meer, J T De Wolf
1Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) can cause arterial thrombosis in young women, even without autoimmune disease. Suspect LAC in young females experiencing arterial clots.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Hematology
Background:
- The lupus anticoagulant (LAC) is an antibody associated with an increased risk of blood clots.
- Arterial thrombosis, or clot formation in arteries, is less common in young individuals compared to older populations.
Observation:
- This study presents three cases of young females experiencing arterial thrombosis.
- Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) was detected in all three patients.
- Two patients had diagnosed autoimmune conditions (systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease).
- One patient had no apparent underlying autoimmune disease.
Findings:
- The cases illustrate the diverse clinical presentations of LAC.
- Arterial thrombosis can be a manifestation of LAC in young females.
- LAC may be present even in the absence of overt autoimmune disorders.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider testing for LAC in young females presenting with arterial thrombotic events.
- Early detection of LAC can aid in timely diagnosis and management.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the pathophysiology of LAC-associated thrombosis.
Abstract:
To demonstrate the wide variety of clinical syndromes associated with the lupus anticoagulant (LAC), we report the case histories of three young females with arterial thrombosis in whom LAC was demonstrated. Two patients had a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease respectively; the other patient had no signs of underlying auto-immune disease. Arterial thrombotic events in young females should arouse suspicion of the presence of LAC although its pathophysiological significance is not established.