Re: What is a cardiolipid test?

This is an answer by Noah Raizman to a similar question posted by Donna M. Nickelson,

Date: Mon Jun 12 11:32:39 2000
Posted By: Noah Raizman, Faculty, Math, Science, and Technology, Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School
Area of science: Medicine
ID: 960158589.Me 

Message:

Anticardiolipin and antiphospholipin are antibodies that attack parts of 
the cell membrane in normal human cells. If you have these antibodies, it 
is considered an autoimmune disease - where the body attacks itself. 

The test is an assay (an ELISA - enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for the 
antibodies in question.

The reason that these tests are important is that, if you have 
anticardiolipin or antiphospholipin, it is very easy to develop blood clots 
(thromboses) in various parts of your body. And, in particular, if you are 
pregnant, the presence of these antibodies can very easily lead to 
spontaneous abortion of the fetus in the first trimester.

If your physician detects these antibodies and you are pregnant, chances 
are that he will prescribe some steroidal anti-inflammatory like 
prednisone, and an anticoagulant like aspirin.

Hope this helps!
:)
Noah