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.

Web: