title: Auto-immune haemolytic anaemia--a high-risk disorder for thromboembolism?
abstract: An audit of the effect of anticoagulant prophylaxis in acute exacerbations of severe autoimmune haemolysis was undertaken. All cases of this disorder presenting to one institution over a 16 year period were reviewed. There were 28 patients who had a total of thirty six exacerbations of haemolysis. Anticoagulant prophylaxis had been introduced from 1992 following three cases with fatal pulmonary emboli. Venous thromboembolism occurred in 5 of 15 exacerbations without prophylaxis but in only one of 21 in which prophylaxis was given. It is suggested that auto-immune haemolysis increases the risk of thromboembolism but further studies are required to quantify the risks and to define optimal prophylactic regimens.
authors.affiliation: South Tyneside District Hospital, South SHeilds, Tyne and Wear, UK. a.hendrick@sthct.nhs.uk
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hendrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants