Anticardiolipin antibody-associated cerebral infarction in cirrhosis: clearance of anticardiolipin antibody after liver transplantation.

Abstract

We report a 47-yr-old woman with a 30-yr history of cryptogenic cirrhosis who sustained a cerebral infarction shortly before undergoing liver transplantation. Anticardiolipin antibody titers were positive prior to transplantation (IgG = 24 GPL; IgM > 80 MPL; IgA < 10 APL). After liver transplantation, however, the titers dropped to normal (< 10 PL units). This report suggests that cirrhotic patients with high anticardiolipin antibody titers may be at risk for thrombotic events, and that this tendency may be reversed by liver transplantation or post-transplant immunosuppressive agents.