title: 'Catastrophic' antiphospholipid syndrome.
abstract: When 'catastrophic' is applied as an adjective to the antiphospholipid syndrome, it implies a characteristic presentation due to predominantly small blood vessel thrombosis leading to rapidly progressive failure of multiple organs and a frequently fatal outcome. We present the case of a 48-year-old woman who presented with the 'catastrophic' antiphospholipid syndrome without previous history of coagulation disorder or connective tissue disease that illustrates the difficulties in diagnosing and managing this disorder. We also review the factors that have been reported to have a role in the development of this condition and show how this case throws light on its pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Gwynedd Rheumatology Service, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, UK. peter@madd10.freeserve.co.uk
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Maddison
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thorpe
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Seale
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Whiteley
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine; D014859:Warfarin; D011239:Prednisolone; D008775:Methylprednisolone