Exploring the plasmatic platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in patients with anti-phospholipid antibodies.

Purpose: To explore the role of plasmatic platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), a marker of cardiovascular risk, in patients with anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL).

Methods: PAF-AH activity was assessed in a series of 167 unselected patients screened for aPL in a context of thrombotic events, risk of thrombosis or obstetric complications and in 77 blood donors.

Results: 116/167 patients showed positive results for at least one aPL among IgG/IgM anti-prothrombin/phosphatidylserine (aPS/PT), anti-cardiolipin (aCL), anti-beta2-glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI) or lupus anticoagulant (LAC), while 51/167 patients resulted aPL-negative.