The presence in the serum of
antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) is associated with venous and arterial
thrombosis. This observation has led to the search for these
antibodies in young patients with ischemic neurologic syndromes. However, 1% to 5% of healthy people may be found to have circulating aPL without necessarily being at increased risk of
thromboembolism. Thus, the finding of APLA in a patient with
cerebral ischemia does not necessarily provide an explanation for the etiology of the clinical syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of aPL in young patients with
stroke or
transient ischemic attacks represents a possible cause of
hypercoagulability as defined by ongoing
thrombin formation with resultant elevation of
prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F1.2) levels. This was a retrospective, case-control study involving 57 subjects. Twenty-seven patients had a recent cerebrovascular ischemic event--either TIA or a
stroke. Fifteen were positive for aPL, and 12 were aPL-negative. Thirty subjects, matched for age and sex with no history of
cerebrovascular disease, served as controls. Of this group, 20 were aPL-positive and 10 were aPL-negative. Causes of
hypercoagulability other than aPL were excluded by laboratory testing. A positive test for aPL was repeated after a 6-week interval and two positive tests were required for a patient to be regarded as being aPL-positive. Levels of F1.2 were measured by an ELISA technique. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the mean F1.2 levels between the aPL-positive group with a history of
cerebrovascular disease (mean F1.2 = 2.3733) and each of the other study groups. There was no statistically significant difference between any of the other study groups. Our findings suggest that F1.2 levels are elevated in young patients with cerebrovascular syndromes who have aPL and in whom other causes of
hypercoagulability and atherosclerotic
vascular disease are absent. Elevated F1.2 in these patients may be a potential marker of the hypercoagulable state associated with aPL.