ABSTRACT
An elderly woman with a continuously bleeding small wound was investigated for the presence of antibodies to FVIII using activated partial time-based screening and confirmatory tests. A late acting coagulation factor inhibitor was detected. The same was characterised to be a low titre antibody against FVIII (5.2 Bethesda units). Cryoprecipitate infusions, corticosteroids and topical desmopressin were unsuccessful in controlling the bleeding. Addition of cyclophosphamide brought about stoppage of bleeding and disappearance of the autoantibody.
Subject(s)
Aged , Autoantibodies/isolation & purification , Factor VIII/immunology , Female , Fibrinogen/therapeutic use , Hemorrhage/diagnosis , Humans , Partial Thromboplastin TimeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To study thrombophilia states in Indian patients with acute spontaneous superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (SMVT). METHODS: Two men with this condition, a 56 year old and a 31 year old presenting with acute SMVT, demonstrated on CT scan, were subjected to a thrombophilia screen consisting of Protein C, S, antithrombin levels, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, fibrinogen levels, factor VIII levels, factor V 'Leiden' gene mutation, and paroxysmal nocturnal hematuria screen. RESULTS: A thrombophilia screen showed factor V 'Leiden' gene mutation (heterozygous) in both cases. Additionally, the first patient had high fibrinogen levels and the second high factor VIII levels. Both patients are currently on long-term anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: Factor V 'Leiden' gene mutation in association with other thrombophilic factors may predispose to spontaneous superior mesenteric vein thrombosis.