Ribeiro S, Carvalho F, Remedio F, Vila A, et al.
Vascular access thrombosis and antiphospholipids in hemodialysis patients
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract) (Sep) 7:1418 1996

Coagulation factors including antiphospholipid antibodies, antithrombin III protein S and protein C can produce a hypercoagulable state. Their presence could correlate with increasing risk of vascular access thrombosis in hemodialysis patients.

The authors studied 78 patients on dialysis fro the presence of these antibodies and found that 25.6% were positive anti-phospholipid antibodies (20.5% for IgG-anticardiolipin antibodies). Vascular access thrombosis (VAT)was seen in 24.4% overall. No correlation was noted betwween antibody levels and VAT.

Comment: The presence of abnormal coagulation factors in patients with AV graft thrombosis has been noted in some studies, especially anti-phospholipid antibodies (see Abstract # 880). Routine measurement of these factors is not warranted but may be appropriate in patients with otherwise unexplained recurrent access thrombosis. Coumadin therapy may be helpful in such patients with antiphospholipid antibodies but the optimal INR target is unknown. (Harold Bregman, M.D., Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL)

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Am Soc Nephrol
Basic hemodialysis : Vascular Access: graft/fistula