'Lupus' anticoagulant and thrombosis of the hepatic veins (Budd-Chiari syndrome). Report of three patients and review of the literature.

Three patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome in association with the 'lupus' anticoagulant are described. This anticoagulant was looked for in our patients with an otherwise idiopathic hepatic venous thrombosis because of the presence of a pronounced thrombocytopenia, a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time or a history of repeated abortions and deep leg vein thrombosis, respectively. An active search for the 'lupus' anticoagulant should be performed to lower the percentage of apparently idiopathic cases of Budd-Chiari syndrome.