The Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Pregnancy: Invited Review

During the last decade a new clinical syndrome, the antiphospholipid syndrome, was described. This syndrome, which gradually developed over many years, is now defined as the association of so-called antiphospholipid antibodies with arterial or venous thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss, thrombocytopenia, or neurologic disorders. Antiphospholipid antibodies, namely lupus anticoagulants and anticardiolipin antibodies, are closely related phospholipid-binding autoantibodies which are, respectively, measured via their capacity to prolong phospholipid-dependent coagulation assays or via their capability to bind to cardiolipin, a negatively charged phospholipid, immobilized on a microtiter plate. Antiphospholipid antibodies are found in about one third of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or related autoimmune disorders, and their presence concurs with an increased risk for the above-mentioned clinical features. About half of the patients with an antiphospholipid syndrome do not fulfill the criteria...