title: Antiphospholipid syndrome.
abstract: The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is defined by the development of venous and/or arterial thromboses, often multiple, and pregnancy morbidity (mainly, recurrent fetal losses), in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Some estimates indicate that the incidence of the APS is around 5 new cases per 100,000 persons per year and the prevalence around 40-50 cases per 100,000 persons. The aPL are positive in approximately 13% of patients with stroke, 11% with myocardial infarction, 9.5% of patients with deep vein thrombosis and 6% of patients with pregnancy morbidity. Currently, there is consensus in treating APS patients with thrombosis with long-term oral anticoagulation and to prevent obstetric manifestations with the use of aspirin and heparin. This review summarizes the main knowledge on the clinical and therapeutic aspects of this syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Electronic address: rcervera@clinic.cat.
authors.forename: Ricard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cervera
mesh_terms: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000276:immunology*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006493:Heparin; D001241:Aspirin
keywords: Anticardiolipin antibodies; Antiphospholipid syndrome; Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome; Lupus anticoagulant