Vascular Occlusions Associated with Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

ABSTRACT

Antiphospholipid antibodies are found in association with collagen-vascular diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus[SLE]. As the laboratory tests suggest impaired coagulation, the patients having antiphospholipid Ab have been reported to be prone to develop thrombosis. The authors present three patients with antiphospholipid antibodies in SLE who had suffered from retinal vascular occlusions. Case 1 with central retinal vein occlusion who had both lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin Ab resulted in visual loss. Case 2 with branch retinal vein occlusion who was positive for only lupus anticoagulant experienced moderate visual disturbance. Case 3 with branch retinal artery occlusion who was positive for both lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin Ab died without ocular follow-up examination. We consider that SLE patients with the antiphospholipid Ab may be at high risk to develop disturbances in vision due to thromboembolism from a hypercoagulable state.