Multiple venous and arterial thromboses associated with the lupus anticoagulant and antibodies to cardiolipin in the absence of SLE

Abstract

A 53-year-old man with a history of multiple venous thromboses presented with widespread occlusions of the abdominal arterial system associated with the presence of the "lupus anticoagulant" and antibodies to cardiolipin in serum. There was no serological evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus and vasculitis of the affected vessels was not evident on post mortem examination. The presence of these antibodies, associated with a tendency to thrombosis, positive anti nuclear factor and cryoglobulinaemia were the only indicators of an "auto-immune" disturbance in this patient.