The following features differed significantly between the APL-negative and APL-positive patients: median number of cerebral vascular events before diagnosis (2.0 versus 1.0 respectively, p = 0.03), the presence of other non-valvular cardiac abnormalities, such as an atrial septal defect, (31% versus 0%, respectively, p = 0.02), presence of deep venous thrombosis (0% versus 21%, respectively, p = 0.02) and presence of ANA (21% versus 70% respectively, p = 0.01). This evidence concerns the gene FASLG and acute promyelocytic leukemia.