Lupus anticoagulant, thrombosis, and death

Abstract

A 32-year-old woman was referred to the hematology clinic after she was found to have persistently positive LA tests. In such a case, 3 distinct scenarios may prompt very different responses by the hematologist. In scenario 1, the patient has no symptoms or signs of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) other than a positive LA. In scenario 2, she has livedo reticularis and thrombocytopenia that cannot be diagnosed as a definite APS.