LA

Lupus anticoagulant (LA) are members of a family of antibodies with phospholipid specificity. LA may be defined as an immunoglobulin(s), IgG or IgM or a mixture of both, that interfere with one or more of the invitro phospholipid (PL) dependent tests of coagulation (i.e. aPTT). These antibodies are not associated with a hemorrhagic diathesis, but rather have been linked to thrombotic events. It is not known whether the antibody is causative, coincidental or a consequence of the thrombosis. In addition to thrombosis, other clinical complications have been associated with the presence of LA. These include strokes, non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis, livedo reticularis and a variety of obstetrical complications such as intrauterine fetal death, recurrent spontaneous abortion, fetal growth retardation, and early onset preeclampsia.