title: Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and reproduction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the recent diagnostic criteria, clinical implications, and therapeutic protocols for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Much has been learned in the recent years concerning the diagnosis of and clinical implications associated with the APS. A number of studies demonstrate some pathophysiologic mechanisms that suggest the impact of antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs) on successful growth and development of the placenta, and ultimately the embryo. These findings are discussed in context with establishing the Bradford Hill criteria for causation between APAs and recurrent pregnancy loss. The recent clinical recommendations from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology are included. Practical guidelines for clinicians faced with treating women with antiphospholipid syndrome are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis of APS is defined and the clinical treatment protocol recommendations are discussed.
authors: aDivision of Reproductive Endocrinology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center bCenter for the Study of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Fertility Associates of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
authors: William H
authors: WH
authors: Kutteh
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006493:Heparin; D001241:Aspirin