Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune condition that is characterised by CLOTs: coagulation defects (arterial/venous), livedo reticularis, obstetric complications (recurrent miscarriage), and thrombocytopaenia (due to a thrombotic tendency). Antiphospholipid antibodies cause it.
- Antiphospholipid antibodies
- Lupus anticoagulant
- Anticardiolipin antibodies
- Anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I antibodies
- Associated conditions
- Livedo reticularis – purple reticular rash that gives the skin a mottled appearance
- Livedo racemose – permanent livedo reticularis
- Libmann-Sacks endocarditis – non-bacterial endocarditis with vegetation in the mitral and aortic valves
- Thrombocytopaenia
- Treatment
- Long-term warfarin with a target INR of 2 – 3 to prevent rhombosis
- Low molecular weight heparin and aspirin during pregnancy
- Complications
- Venous thromboembolism
- Stroke
- Myocardial infarction
- Renal thrombosis
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Pre-eclampsia
- Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome – rapid thrombosis in multiple organs with a high-mortality rate
