Additional Information/Important Notes

Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) may be associated with thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity and loss and may be a serologic part of the antiphospholipid syndrome. ACA can transiently increase in infections. The diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) requires an appropriate clinical picture and the presence of persistently positive antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin, lupus anticoagulant, or anti-beta2 glycoprotein-I). ACA of medium or high titer consistently positive when checked 12 weeks apart meets one of the criteria for APL syndrome. The significance of isolated elevated ACA IgA is uncertain.