Do Antiphospholipid Antibodies Increase Risk for Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism?

Lifelong anticoagulation is often advised for patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, because APAs are heterogeneous (they include antibodies against cardiolipin, beta-2-glycoprotein-1, and the lupus anticoagulant), the risk for VTE recurrence might vary by antibody type and persistence.

To examine that possibility, investigators conducted a prospective, blinded study of 307 patients with unprovoked VTE who had received anticoagulants for 3 to 7 months. Analyses for APA and d-dimer were performed at enrollment, at 1 month, and at 7 months. Anticoagulants were discontinued in all 290 patients with a negative d-dimer test.

APAs were present in 26.1% of patients on one or more occasions. The ra…