HEPARIN-ASSOCIATED BLEEDING IN PATIENTS W ITH LUPUS-ANTICOAGULANT

Severe bleeding was observed in 2 SLE patients during application of l ow dose subcutaneous heparin. Retrospective analysis revealed a slight ly prolonged activated partial thromboplastine time (aPTT) before hepa rin application and elevated titers of lupus anticoagulant in both pat ients. Other co-Factors for bleeding events like uremia, thrombopenia, hyperfibrinolysis or coagulation factor deficiency were not detected. If the use of heparin in SLE patients with prolonged aPTT is unavoida ble, we recommend close monitoring of the aPTT and investigations for the presence of lupus anticoagulant.