| Primary Name | Anticardiolipin IgM Antibody |
| Synonym | Anticardiolipin antibody |
| Synonym | Antiphospholipid antibody |
| Contraction | ACA |
| Contraction | ACL |
| Contraction | -- |
| UAB Procedure Number | |
| CPT Code | 86147 |
| Specimen | Collect one serum separator tube (Vacutainer SST with tiger top) with a gel barrier. Minimum volume 2 mL. |
| Specimen Management | Centrifuge tube within one (1) hour of collection, separate serum and test or freeze at -70°C. |
| Specimen Accepted | Daily including weekends |
| Test Performed | Twice a week |
| Available Stat? | No |
| Description | ACAs are acquired non-specific inhibitors that are detected in 1-2% of individuals. Chronic ACA is associated with a 30% risk of venous thromboembolic disease or arterial thrombosis, including stroke and myocardial infarction. Chronic ACA is also associated with chronic spontaneous abortion. |
| Reference Interval | Negative: 14 MPL units/mL or less Low positive or indeterminate : 15-32 MPL units/mL Moderate positive: 33-100 MPL units/mL High positive: More than 100 MPL units/mL |
| Follow-up Test | *The ACA is recommended as part of a complete workup for possible antiphospholipid syndrome. It should be accompanied by the lupus anticoagulant profile. *The lupus anticoagulant profile is a series of assays based on the PTT-LA and the DRVVT with follow-up mixing studies and neutralization stages. *A positive lupus anticoagulant profile or ACA should be repeated on a new specimen after 8-10 weeks to determine if the inhibitor is transient or chronic. * Other assays associated with ACA and lupus anticoagulant testing are the beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibody and the anti-prothrombin antibody test. |
| Associated With | Venous thrombosis |
| Associated With | Arterial thrombosis |
| Associated With | Lupus anticoagulant |
| Associated With | Spontaneous abortions |
| Associated With | Coagulation factor inhibitors |