BUDD-CHIARI SYNDROME IN A YOUNG PATIENT WITH ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES - NEED FOR PROLONGED ANTICOAGULANT TREATMENT

The case of a 20 year old woman is reported with Budd-Chiari syndrome in whom lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies were shown; treatment with oral anticoagulants induced a considerable improvement . This treatment was interrupted after one year; interruption was foll owed by redevelopment of ascites. Further treatment with anticoagulant s was continued for five years with noticeable improvement. When treat ment with oral anticoagulants was stopped because of pregnancy, the pa tient redeveloped ascites and had a spontaneous miscarriage. Subsequen tly, treatment with oral anticoagulants was reintroduced and again res ulted in noticeable improvement. In conclusion patients with Budd-Chia ri syndrome should be tested for lupus anticoagulants and anticardioli pin antibodies, Budd-Chiari syndrome resulting from this cause may hav e a good response to treatment with oral anticoagulants; this treatmen t should be maintained permanently, and pregnancy in such patients may initiate serious difficulties.