Lupus anticoagulant
Lupus anticoagulant from citrate plasma (light blue tube greiner vacuette).
If you test positive for Lupus anticoagulant, it means that there is a non-hereditary condition in which the body makes antibodies against a certain component (phospholipids) of the platelet membrane. This gives the distinct result that on the one hand the APTT (clotting time) may be prolonged which usually gives a bleeding tendency, and on the other hand an increased risk of thrombosis.
The presence of a Lupus Anticoagulant can be part of a so-called antiphospholipid syndrome in which antiphospholipid (anticardiolipin) antibodies can be detected.
The presence of the Lupus Anticoagulant is related to an increased risk of thrombosis.
What triggers this condition is usually not clear. It can be triggered by infections, medications and other diseases.
There is an increased risk of thrombosis (thrombosis is the occlusion of a vein or artery by a blood clot (thrombus)), as well as an increased risk of problems during pregnancy.
The most common inhibitors of the coagulation system are lupus anticoagulants (LA). Like the anti-cardiolipin antibody, they belong to a group of anti-phospholipid antibodies and inhibit coagulation-active phospholipid protein complexes. Laboratory tests usually find an extension of phospholipid-dependent coagulation tests, such as the aPTT. However, there is no simple standard test to detect LA, so a combination of several "screening" and confirmatory tests must be used to diagnose LA.
In addition, to verify or exclude LA, a checkup is required after approximately 3 to 6 months.
In addition, immunological determination of phospholipid antibodies, particularly anti-cardiolipin antibodies, and possibly an ANA and AMA is recommended.
Lupus Antikoagulans reference values:
dRVVT screening result is good if the Ratio is below 1.2.
lupus anticoagulant (aPTT-LA) result is good if it is between 25.4 - 36.9 sec.
Lupus rating: negative is good, positive is not good.
