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Antiphospholipid syndrome in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease
M Martínez-Lavín1, C Fonseca, M C Amigo
1Rheumatology Department, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico, México D.F.
Insights
Cyanotic congenital heart disease patients often experience blood clots and low platelets. This study found anticardiolipin antibodies in 3/15 patients, suggesting a link to antiphospholipid syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) have a higher risk of thrombotic events.
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) is also common in CCHD patients.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by autoantibodies and thrombotic events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) in patients with CCHD.
- To explore a potential association between CCHD and antiphospholipid syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 15 patients diagnosed with CCHD.
- Samples were tested for the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies.
- Clinical data, including thrombotic history and VDRL test results, were reviewed.
Main Results:
- Anticardiolipin antibodies were detected in 3 out of 15 (20%) CCHD patients.
- All positive cases were adult females.
- Two of the three positive patients had a history of thrombotic episodes and a false-positive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test.
Conclusions:
- Cyanotic congenital heart disease may be associated with the antiphospholipid syndrome.
- The presence of aCL in CCHD patients warrants further investigation.
- CCHD patients, particularly adult females with thrombotic history, may benefit from screening for antiphospholipid antibodies.
Abstract:
Patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease exhibit an increased incidence of thrombotic episodes and are frequently thrombocytopenic. We studied the sera of 15 patients with this type of heart malformation, searching for anticardiolipin antibodies. 3/15 had positive results. The three of them were adult females; two had thrombotic episodes and a false positive VDRL. Thus, cyanotic congenital heart disease may be another disease entity associated with the antiphospholipid syndrome.