Role of anticardiolipin antibodies in the pathogenesis of prosthetic valve thrombosis: An observational study.
BACKGROUND
Prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is serious complication of valvular replacement surgery, and increased levels of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) are associated with thrombosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of aCL in the development of PVT.


METHODS
We studied the aCL IgM and IgG levels in 114 patients with PVT and 80 healthy patients with prosthetic valves without PVT or a history of thrombosis. All patients underwent detailed transthoracic, transesophageal echocardiographic and clinical examinations. Blood samples were obtained after transesophageal echocardiography. Tests were repeated 12 weeks apart in patients with aCL IgM or IgG positivity.


RESULTS
The mean age, sex, presence of atrial fibrillation and cardiovascular risk factors, elapsed time after surgery, and prosthetic valve type and location were similar between patients with PVT and those without. Ineffective anticoagulation was significantly higher among patients with PVT (p < 0.001). The aCL IgM values were significantly higher and positive (> 40 MPL) in the PVT group compared with the control group (10.58 ± 15.90 MPL to 3.70 ± 2.30 MPL, p < 0.001; 7.0 to 0 %, p = 0.016, respectively). The aCL IgG values were significantly higher and positive (> 40 GPL) in the PVT group compared with the control group (12.04 ± 17.58 GPL to 3.83 ± 2.56 GPL, p < 0.001 and 7.9 to 0 %, p = 0.01, respectively). According to international consensus documents, 16 patients had antiphospholipid syndrome. Ineffective anticoagulation and aCL IgM and IgG positivity were independent predictors of PVT in logistic regression analysis (multivariate r(2)= 0.648; p < 0.001, OR= 21.405, 95 %CI= 8.201-55.872; p = 0.008, OR= 1.322, % 95CI= 1.076-1.626; p = 0.005, OR= 1.288, 95 %CI= 1.079-1.538).


CONCLUSIONS
Since the presence of aCL IgM and IgG positivity may cause a tendency toward PVT, these values should be examined in all patients with PVT.
Department of Cardiology, Koşuyolu Kartal Heart Training and Research Hospital, Cevizli Kavsagi, Kartal, 34876, Istanbul, Turkey, ahmetaykan@yahoo.com.
A Ç
AÇ
Aykan
T
T
Gökdeniz
M
M
Kalçık
M A
MA
Astarcıoğlu
S
S
Gündüz
S
S
Karakoyun
M O
MO
Gürsoy
A E
AE
Oğuz
E
E
Ertürk
B
B
Çakal
Z
Z
Bayram
M
M
Özkan
D000328:Adult; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000276:immunology*; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D015415:Biomarkers