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Subdural hematoma and lupus anticoagulants
1Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Stroke
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Lupus anticoagulants (LAs) are not typically linked to bleeding. This study found no increased risk of subdural hematoma in patients with LAs when other risk factors were absent.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Neurology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Lupus anticoagulants (LAs) are antibodies that can increase blood clotting.
- While typically associated with thrombosis, rare cases of hemorrhage in LA patients without known bleeding risks exist.
- The potential link between LAs and hemorrhage, specifically subdural hematoma, warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if lupus anticoagulants (LAs) are associated with an increased risk of developing nontraumatic subdural hematoma.
- To evaluate the etiological connection between LAs and hemorrhage.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with nontraumatic subdural hematoma and LAs across three institutions (1985-1996).
- Review of medical histories and laboratory evaluations for identified patients.
- Analysis of the incidence of LAs in patients with nontraumatic subdural hematoma.
Main Results:
- Five out of 733 patients (0.7%) with nontraumatic subdural hematoma were diagnosed with LAs.
- All patients with LAs and subdural hematoma possessed known risk factors for bleeding.
- Identified risk factors included thrombocytopenia, hypoprothrombinemia, venous hemorrhage, warfarin therapy, and advanced age with a fall history.
Conclusions:
- The presence of a lupus anticoagulant alone does not appear to increase the incidence of nontraumatic subdural hematoma.
- Hemorrhage in patients with LAs is likely attributable to coexisting, recognized risk factors rather than the LA itself.