Circulating anticoagulant associated with chronic active hepatitis

Chronic active hepatitis is frequently associated with a variety of serologic abnormalities. A patient with chronic active hepatitis and a circulating anticoagulant to factors XI and XII is described. Circulating anticoagulants should be suspected in patients with chronic active hepatitis and a prolonged partial thromboplastin time. This risk of liver biopsy in these patients is unknown, but this possible hazard should be considered in all patients with chronic active hepatitis.