Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Characterised by presence of a circulating anticoagulant
 
Clinical presentation
  • Thrombosis
  • Can preced onset of another autoimmune disorder (eg. LES) by several years
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Hemolysis
  • Repeated miscarriages
  • Repeated venous and arterial trombosis
  • Livedo
  • Strokes
 
Labs
  • Anti-cardiolipin antibodies
  • False positive VDRL
 
Treatment
  • Primary prevention: aspirin 100mg/day in lupus patients
  • Secondary prevention: lifelong vitamin K antagonists
    • INR target depends on the severity (2-3,5 in most cases)
    • In obstetrics: low molecular weight heparin in combination with aspirin