title: Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome: diagnosis and management in pregnancy.
abstract: Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a potentially lethal variant of antiphospholipid syndrome, characterized by multiorgan thrombosis in a short period of time, affecting mainly small vessels. In approximately 50% of CAPS cases, the catastrophic event is preceded by a trigger, mainly infections, or surgery, anticoagulation withdrawal, lupus flares, neoplasm, or pregnancy and puerperium. Treatment of CAPS is based on expert opinion and relies on a combination of several strategies, including anticoagulation, steroids, plasma exchange sessions, and/or intravenous immunoglobulins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic, Villarroel 170, Barcelona 08036, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gómez-Puerta
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Espinosa
authors.forename: Ricard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cervera
mesh_terms: D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome; D002388:Catastrophic Illness; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications