Acute mesenteric infarction in a 46-year-old male patient with primary antiphospholipid-antibody syndrome

Background: The antiphospholipid-antibody syndrome (APS) is a thrombophilic disorder, in which venous and arterial thrombosis can occur. We report the rare case of a patient with mesenteric infarction due to primary APS. Case Report: A 46-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital becaus e of severe abdominal pain. A laparotomy was performed and revealed infarct ion of a jejunal loop which was resected. At pathohistological examination mesenteric artery infarction was found. Preoperatively prolonged partial th romboplastin time led to coagulation analysis. Lupus anticoagulant and anti cardiolipin antibodies were found. Treatment: The diagnosis of primary APS was made and the patient was treate d with aspirin (100 mg/day) and low molecular weight heparin (2.500 IE/day) permanently. Eighteen months after mesenteric infarction the patient is fr ee of further thromboembolic events.