Antiphospholipid syndrome and its manifestations in arterial and venous system.
- II. interní klinika, Fakultní nemocnice a Lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Plzeň, Česká republika
The term "antiphospholipid syndrome" refers to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and a hypercoagulability syndrome. Antiphospholipid antibodies are a very heterogeneous group of autoantibodies, with their laboratory diagnosis based on ELISA tests as well as on coagulation assays for the detection of so called lupus anticoagulant. The principal clinical criteria of the antiphospholipid syndrome are vascular thrombosis and complications of pregnancy. Nevertheless, there is a broad spectrum of possible clinical manifestations, which may encompass many specialties, including cardiology, angiology and phlebology. Many studies have confirmed an association between antiphospholipid antibodies and myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, valvular abnormalities and venous thromboembolism. Secondary prevention in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome after the first thrombotic episode is a very important issue. There is an indication to long-term anticoagulation with target INR 2-3. Some consider high-intensity warfarin treatment more beneficial for some patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome. The pathophysiology of the syndrome has not been fully clarified yet.
Keywords: Antiphospholipid antibodies; Lupus anticoagulant; Thrombosis
Published: May 1, 2005 Show citation