title: Diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome.
abstract: Antiphospholipid syndrome is a multisystem autoimmune disease, characterized by recurrent vascular thrombosis and/or pregnancy losses in the presence of persistently positive antiphospholipid antibodies. In clinical practice, testing for anticardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulant is mandatory for the laboratory diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome. Identification of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome is important, as prophylactic anticoagulant therapy may prevent thrombosis from recurring, and treatment during pregnancy can improve fetal and maternal outcome.
authors.affiliation: Lupus Research Unit, The Rayne Institute, King's College London School of Medicine at Guy's, King's and St Thomas' Hospitals, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. maria.bertolaccini@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Maria Laura
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bertolaccini
authors.forename: Munther A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khamashta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D000925:Anticoagulants; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor