Value of Prothrombin Fragment 1.2 (F 1.2) in the Diagnosis of Stroke in Young Patients With Antiphospholipid Antibodies

The presence in the serum of antiphospholipid an tibodies (aPL) is associated with venous and arterial thrombo sis. This observation has led to the search for these antibodies in young patients with ischemic neurologic syndromes. How ever, 1% to 5% of healthy people may be found to have cir culating aPL without necessarily being at increased risk of thromboembolism. Thus, the finding of APLA in a patient with cerebral ischemia does not necessarily provide an explanation for the etiology of the clinical syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of aPL in young patients with stroke or transient ischemic attacks represents a possible cause of hypercoagulability as defined by ongoing thrombin formation with resultant elevation of prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F1.2) levels.This was a retrospective, case-control study involving 57 subjects. Twenty-seven patients had a recent cerebrovascular ischemic event—either TIA or a stroke. Fifteen were positive for aPL, and 12 were aPL-negative.Thi...