Antiphospholipid Syndrome

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by a combination of arterial and/or venous thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss, often accompanied by a mild-to-moderate thrombocytopenia, and elevated titers of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), namely, the lupus anticoagulant (LA) and/or anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL). Antiphospholipid syndrome occurs when r immune system mistakenly attacks some of the normal proteins in blood.

Signs and symptoms of antiphospholipid syndrome may include: Blood clots in legs, Repeated miscarriages or stillbirths and other complications of pregnancy, such as premature delivery and high blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia), Stroke, Blood clots in the arteries of r arms or legs (peripheral arterial thrombosis).

In antiphospholipid syndrome, body mistakenly produces antibodies against proteins that bind phospholipids, a type of fat present in blood that plays a key role in clotting (coagulation). Antibodies are specialized proteins that normally attack body invaders, such as viruses and bacteria. When antibodies attack phospholipid-binding proteins, blood may clot abnormally. Doctors generally use medications that reduce r blood's tendency to clot to treat antiphospholipid syndrome. This doesn't cure the disease but does help to prevent its most serious complications.