Lupus anticoagulant in an elderly woman with dementia: a clinical case report with many questions and few answers

Abstract

We describe the clinical case of an elderly woman with dementia, suffering from bilateral soleal venous thrombosis, despite antithrombotic prophylaxis, after orthopedic surgery. An isolated anti-cardiolipin antibodies positivity, however pre-existing for at least seven years, was found in a patient with previous cerebral ischemia and treated intermittently with aspirin. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown, to promote patient compliance, we practiced anticoagulant therapy with edoxaban: resolution of venous thrombosis was achieved. Longlasting medical treatment is discussed.

Keywords

• Antiphospholipid syndrome
• lupus anticoagulant
• venous thrombosis
• frail elderly
• direct oral anticoagulants
• edoxaban.