title: A possible role for antiphospholipid antibodies in acquired cardiac valve deformity.
abstract: We studied the frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement, and present the results in the context of the pathology of the valve lesions. Forty-eight consecutive patients undergoing valve replacement were studied. Of the whole group, 15 (31%) had antibody levels greater than 2 SD above the mean for a control group of healthy persons and 11 (23%) had a level of greater than 3 SD. There was an increased frequency of elevated antibody levels in patients with valves showing fibrocalcific change and a significant association between aPL and valve thrombus. The possible role of these antibodies in the pathogenesis of the valve lesions is discussed.
authors: Department of Medicine, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors: S E
authors: SE
authors: Ford
authors: E J
authors: EJ
authors: Charrette
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Knight
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Pym
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Ford
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D010743:Phospholipids