Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Review

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by venous thromboembolism, arterial thrombosis, and obstetric morbidities in the setting of persistently positive levels of antiphospholipid antibodies. It may be primary or secondary. The latest classification criteria (Sydney 2006) recognize just three tests to define this syndrome- lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies and anti-?2-glycoprotein-1 antibodies. Treatment of thrombotic events involves lifelong anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonist warfarin. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) with only pregnancy morbidity is treated with thromboprophylaxis with heparin during pregnancy and postpartum for 6 weeks. In this review we discuss the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the APS.