Studies on Antiphospholipid Syndrome

The antiphospholidid syndrome (APS) is a rare and poorly understood clinical condition with potentially devastating consequences. It is defined by the presence of so-called antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). These autoantibodies are not directed against anionic phospholipids but rather against plasma proteins with high affinity for anionic phospholipids. The cardinal manifestations are arterial and venous thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity. Other manifestations include catastrophic APS or immune thrombocytopenia. The laboratory tests exploring the presence of aPL include lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin (aCL), and anti-b-2-glycoprotein I (a-b2GPI) antibodies. Laboratory tests may be positive in different combinations and in individuals having positivity for all 3 laboratory tests (triple positivity) are at the highest risk for a first thrombotic event and recurrence. The indefinite anticoagulant treatment with warfarin prevent the thrombotic recurrences.