Lupus Anticoagulant

Posted by Elaine Moore Mar 13, 2006

Patients with lupus anticoagulant (LAC) have elevated blood clotting tests, including protime and PTT levels. Some common LACs include: anticardiolipin antibodies, antiphospholipid antibodies, coagulation factor inhibitors such as Factor VIII inhibitors, Protein C and Protein S antibodies, and antibodies to Factor V Leiden. Patients with LAC form clots more easily and are at risk for thrombosis, miscarriages and stroke.

Testing for LAC involves a number of different tests including antibodyes to cardiolipin and phospholipids, Protein C, Protein S, Factor V Leidin and the Dilute Russell Viper Venom Test (DVVT) test. LAC may occur in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), deep vein thrombosis disorders, and various autoimmune disorders including SLE and autoimmune thyroid disease.