Anticardiolipin Antibodies and Protein S Deficiency: Two Case Reports

Abstract

Objective:

To describe episodes of venous thrombosis in two young patients with combined congenital and acquired thrombophilias.

Patients:

Two patients attending a university hospital with episodes of deep vein thrombosis presenting at an unusually young age were studied. Tests for thrombo-philias showed these patients had protein S deficiency combined with high titres of cardiolipin antibodies.

Interventions:

The patients were anticoagulated with oral anticoagulants.

Results:

No further episode of thrombosis was seen in either patient over the following 2 years.

Cnclusions:

A detailed search for inherited and acquired thrombophilias should be undertaken in patients presenting with extensive venous thrombosis at an unusually young age. Oral anticoagulants are effective in managing this clinical problem. Indefinite anticoagulation may be required in patients presenting with combined thrombophilias.