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Will Complete Recovery From Pulmonary Embolism Take Long?
Question: Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
I had a Pulmonary Embolism 2 weeks after a c-section. While hospitalized I tested positive for Lupus Anticolagulant via the hexagonal phase confirmation test, negative for the DRVTT, and negative for the for Platelet neutralization test. 15 weeks later I was retested, and am now negative for all Lupus Anticolagulant tests and all of the associated antiphospholipid testing. Now I am being told I need to remain on coumadin for another 12 weeks, as I must have 2 negatives 12 weeks apart to go off coumadin. Is this accurate? Online it seems to be the opposite, that you need 2 positive tests to declare positivity for antiphosholipid syndrome. Please advise. Thanks!
I had a Pulmonary Embolism 2 weeks after a c-section. While hospitalized I tested positive for Lupus Anticolagulant via the hexagonal phase confirmation test, negative for the DRVTT, and negative for the for Platelet neutralization test. 15 weeks later I was retested, and am now negative for all Lupus Anticolagulant tests and all of the associated antiphospholipid testing. Now I am being told I need to remain on coumadin for another 12 weeks, as I must have 2 negatives 12 weeks apart to go off coumadin. Is this accurate? Online it seems to be the opposite, that you need 2 positive tests to declare positivity for antiphosholipid syndrome. Please advise. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Yes , you are right .
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Thank you for posting your query on HCM.
Well yes two positive tests 12 weeks apart are needed for diagnosing Antiphospholipid syndrome . But since your test was positive one time they are being careful and it is fine too because pulmonary embolism is a major issue . In autoimmune diseases many things by clinicians acumen rather than blood reports so I agree with what your doctors are doing . Also what is your ANA , ENA report as they are also important for assessing the risk .
Take care.
Dr. Shruti
Yes , you are right .
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Thank you for posting your query on HCM.
Well yes two positive tests 12 weeks apart are needed for diagnosing Antiphospholipid syndrome . But since your test was positive one time they are being careful and it is fine too because pulmonary embolism is a major issue . In autoimmune diseases many things by clinicians acumen rather than blood reports so I agree with what your doctors are doing . Also what is your ANA , ENA report as they are also important for assessing the risk .
Take care.
Dr. Shruti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the reply. I am worried that they keep doing the testing while on coumadin. At the bottom of the test results it says that they should not be done while on anticolagulants. In your practice do you still test people for Antiphoshoplipid syndrome and Lupus Anticolagulant while patients are on coumadin? My ANA was negative. They also did tests for RA, and all those were negative. I am not sure what an ENA is.
Is there any reason why a negative result is unreliable? I figured a positive result and then a negative just meant it was transient, not persistent as required for diagnosis on the syndrome.
Is there any reason why a negative result is unreliable? I figured a positive result and then a negative just meant it was transient, not persistent as required for diagnosis on the syndrome.
Brief Answer:
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Thank you for reverting back.
Yes its true that these tests should not be done when the patient is on anticoagulation .Also positive test then turning negative means and signifies that its transient . Everything you are saying is fine but whatever they are doing is also ok so Its in your best favour to follow that .
Dr. Shruti
Follows.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Thank you for reverting back.
Yes its true that these tests should not be done when the patient is on anticoagulation .Also positive test then turning negative means and signifies that its transient . Everything you are saying is fine but whatever they are doing is also ok so Its in your best favour to follow that .
Dr. Shruti
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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