Back to A-Z


Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL abs) are a heterogeneous group of antibodies that bind to plasma proteins with an affinity for phospholipid surfaces.

The MAIN types of disease associated with increased aPL ab production are:

M - Medications

A - Autoimmune disease

I - Infectious

N - Neoplasms

The clinical syndrome most commonly associated with aPL abs are:

C - Clot: recurrent arterial and/or venous thromboses (clots)

L - Livedo reticularis: lace–like rash over the extremities and trunk exaggerated by cold conditions

O - Obstetrical loss: recurrent fetal loss

T - Thrombosis

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) should be suspected in any of the following situations:

  • Arterial thrombosis before age 50 years

  • Unprovoked venous thrombosis before age 50 years

  • Recurrent thromboses

  • Both arterial and venous thrombotic events

  • Thromboses at unusual sites (renal, hepatic, cerebral sinuses, mesenteric, vena cava etc.)

  • Obstetrical: fetal loss or recurrent miscarriages; early or severe preeclampsia, unexplained intrauterine growth restriction.


Pubmed

UpToDate


Web:

MayoClinic

NHS

Genome.Gov

Medscape

MedlinePlus


Previous Next