Summary
The role of antiprothrombin (aPT) antibodies in the development of venous thromboembolism
(VTE) is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role
of aPT antibodies in the development of recurrent thromboembolism. Out of 236 consecutive
symptomatic patients with an episode of acute VTE, antiphospholipid antibodies were
found in 85 (36.0%), of whom 24 were carriers of aPT antibodies (10.2% of the entire
cohort). A history of previous thromboembolism was identified in 56 patients (23.7%).
The prevalence of previous thromboembolism was significantly higher in carriers than
in non-carriers of antiphospholipid antibodies (OR=2.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.4). Of the
24 patients with aPT antibodies, 12 had a history of previous thromboembolism. In
a multivariate logistic regression analysis, in which the other categories of antiphospholipid
antibodies were taken into account, as well as the patient’s age, sex, and the modality
of clinical presentation, it was found that the presence of aPT antibodies was significantly
associated with the prevalence of prior thromboembolism (OR=3.3; 95% CI, 1.3 to 8.6).
Since aPT antibodies are more commonly identifiable in patients with multiple thrombotic
episodes, they are a likely risk factor for recurrent thromboembolism.
Keywords
Anti-phospholipid antibodies - anti-prothrombin antibodies - venous thromboembolism