Anti Cardiolipin Antibody IgA - Serum

Anticardiolipin antibodies are the antiphospholipid autoantibodies produced in the body due to the malfunctioning of the immune system. It triggers the defense mechanism of the body to attack cardiolipins.

The cardiolipins are phospholipids or lipid molecules which accumulate in the outermost layer of cell membranes to regulate the blood clotting process. Due to the antibodies, the immune system starts attacking the healthy cells resulting in extreme and unexplainable blood clots. The blood clotting in anticardiolipin syndrome usually occurs in the legs, kidney, spleen, and lungs.

In the anticardiolipin syndrome, the abnormal anticardiolipin antibodies' formation affects the platelet and normal blood vessel functioning. This causes excessive bleeding in the events of body injury.

Some people suffering from ACA syndrome sometimes do not exhibit any visible signs. However, the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies aggravates the development possibility of various pathological conditions such as:

• Fetal loss
• Thrombocytopenia or low platelet 
• Thrombosis or blood clotting
• Premature labor
• Pre-eclampsia

The ACL antibody formation can be primary or secondary to other autoimmune diseases such as lupus. They are also found in patients having conditions like:

• HIV
• Cancer 
• Acute infections like syphillis
• Undergoing drug treatments such as penicillin, phenytoin, and procainamide
• Suffering from recurrent miscarriages during the second and third trimester
• Elderly with age-related degeneration

The medical professional suggests anti cardiolipin antibody Iga - serum test as a determining screening procedure. The expert conduct a diagnosis for prescribing cardiolipin antibody IgA test  if the patient complains of:

• Thrombotic episodes, I.e., frequent blood clot appearance without explanation
• Repeated miscarriages and stillbirths
• Lupus anticoagulant disease
• Extended partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
• Unusual heavy menstrual bleeding
• Unexplained abdominal pain
• Recurrent nose or gum bleeding

Since there's no cure for the ACA syndrome, timely treatment is the most plausible solution to prevent the progression of the condition. An effective diagnosis and prognosis restrict fatalities due to anticardiolipin syndrome complications such as kidney disease, neurological damage, partial paralysis, pulmonary embolism, etc.

The cardiolipin antibody testing involves ACA diagnosis in the serum specimen of a patient. Upon request, a lab technician collects the blood sample. The collected sample is sent to an authorized lab, where it undergoes the serum extraction process.

In the procedure, the blood sample is coagulated first before centrifugation. After this step, the clot and blood cells are removed, leaving a liquid supernatant behind. This resultant fluid is used in anti cardiolipin antibody Iga - serum test analysis.

During the blood collection for the cardiolipin antibody IgA test, the patient might feel a slight pinch at the site of extraction. Even though the accompanying symptoms like pain subside within a few days, other symptoms might require additional medical support like:

• Red rashes and soreness at the needle insertion site 
• Infection on the body part
• Irritation due to the skin bandage or adhesive tape
• Dizziness due to the vasovagal reaction 
• Hematoma or clot under the skin
• Vein or artery clogging
• Fainting (In extreme cases only)

Apollo 24|7 offers accurate cardiolipin antibody testing results through a wide range of reputable laboratories across the country. It provides NABL certified multi-channel digital healthcare system for doorstep diagnostic solutions and ACL antibody blood collection.
 

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jaya Prakash Pani, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Apollo Hospitals Old Sainik School Road, Bhubaneswar

Frequently asked questions

Will a doctor recommend a cardiolipin antibody IgA testing for patients suffering from pulmonary embolism?

Pulmonary embolism occurs when blood lodges inside the lungs, causing shortness of breath. Due to acute chest pain, the patient might cough blood-stained mucus. In order to ascertain the cause of the clotting, a medical professional can prescribe the test.

What are the signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis or DVT occurs when clotting forms in a vein deep inside the body. Usually, it develops in the lower leg, thigh, and pelvis. The signs include: Throbbing pain in a calf or thigh Swollen leg Darkened red and warm skin around the painful area Sore and hard veins

What is the reason behind the formation of anticardiolipin antibodies?

Cardiolipin antibody development occurs when the immune system malfunctions and starts targeting the body's phospholipids. This causes an interference in the body's ability to regulate the clotting system and ends up forming excess clots.

What does cardiolipin antibody testing do?

The anticardiolipin test observes the presence of a specific antibody in the system, I.e., IgG, IgA, and IgM. These antibodies are created in reaction to cardiolipins, which are a kind of fat or a phospholipid in the cell membrane.

What do you mean by a positive anticardiolipin IgM?

The positive IgM result affirms the presence of ACA in the bloodstream. Such an observation indicates the existence or future occurrence of different diseases like: Syphilis AIDS Lupus Thrombotic episodes DVT Miscarriages Pulmonary embolism

What tests do doctors recommend after the initial cardiolipin antibody IgA test?

This diagnosis usually acts as a screening method to determine the causes of existing symptoms like PTT. After the positive result of the test, the doctors prescribe another assessment after 12 weeks. Upon repeated positive results, further testing for autoimmune diseases is prescribed.