Anticardiolipin antibodies; Hughes syndrome
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder that involves frequent blood clots (thromboses). When you have this condition, your body's immune system makes abnormal proteins that attack the blood cells and lining of the blood vessels. The presence of these antibodies can cause problems with blood flow and lead to dangerous clots in blood vessels throughout the body.
The exact cause of APS is not known. Both certain gene changes and other factors (such as an infection) may cause the problem to develop.
It is often found in people with other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The condition is more common in women than in men. It is often found in women who have a history of repeated miscarriages.
Some people carry the antibodies mentioned above, but do not have APS. Certain triggers may cause these people to have a blood clot, including:
You may not have any symptoms, even though you have the antibodies. Symptoms that may occur include:
In rare cases, clots suddenly develop in many arteries over a period of days. This is called catastrophic anti-phospholipid syndrome (CAPS). It can lead to stroke as well as the clots in the kidney, liver, and other organs throughout the body, and gangrene in the limbs. CAPS has a high mortality rate, even with treatment.
Tests for the lupus anticoagulant and antiphospholipid antibodies may be done when:
The lupus anticoagulant tests are blood clotting tests. The antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) cause the test to be abnormal in the laboratory.
Types of clotting tests may include:
Tests for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) will also be done. They include:
Your health care provider will diagnose antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) if you have positive test for aPL or the lupus anticoagulant, and one or more of the following events:
The positive tests need to be confirmed after 12 weeks. If you have a positive test without other features of the disease, you will not have the diagnosis of APS.
The treatment for APS is directed at preventing complications from new blood clots forming or existing clots getting larger. You will need to take some form of blood-thinning medicine. If you also have an autoimmune disease, such as lupus, you will need to keep that condition under control as well.
The exact treatment will depend on how severe your condition is and the complications it is causing.
ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME (APS)
In general, you will need treatment with a blood thinner for a long time if you have APS. Initial treatment may be heparin. This medicine is given by injection.
In most cases, warfarin (Coumadin), which is given by mouth, is then started. It is necessary to frequently monitor the level of anticoagulation. This is most often done using the INR test.
If you have APS and become pregnant, you will need to be followed closely by a provider who is an expert in this condition. You will not take warfarin during pregnancy, but will be given heparin shots instead.
If you have SLE and APS, your provider may also recommend that you take hydroxychloroquine.
Currently, other types of blood thinning medicines are not recommended.
CATASTROPHIC ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME (CAPS)
Treatment for CAPS that involves a combination of anticoagulation therapy, high doses of corticosteroids, and plasma exchange has been effective in most people. Sometimes IVIG, rituximab or eculizumab is also used for severe cases.
POSITIVE TEST FOR LUPUS ANTICOAGULANT OR APL
You will not need treatment if you do not have symptoms, pregnancy loss, or if you have never had a blood clot.
Take the following steps to help prevent blood clots from forming:
You will be prescribed blood-thinning medicines (such as heparin and warfarin) to help prevent blood clots:
You may also need to take blood thinners for 3 to 4 weeks after surgery to lower your risk for blood clots.
Without treatment, people with APS will have repeat clotting events. Most of the time, outcome is good with proper treatment, which includes long-term anticoagulation therapy. Some people may have blood clots that are hard to control in spite of treatments. This can lead to CAPS, which can be life-threatening.
Contact your provider if you notice symptoms of a blood clot, such as:
Also talk to your provider if you have repeated loss of pregnancy (miscarriage).
Amigo M-C, Khamashta MA. Antiphospholipid syndrome: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. In: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Smolen JS, van der Heijde D, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 147.
Barbhaiya M, Salmon JE, Erkan D. Antiphospholipid syndrome. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelly's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 87.
Cervera R, Rodríguez-Pintó I, Leagult K, Erkan D. 16th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies Task Force Report on catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. Lupus. 2020:29(12):1594-1600. PMID 32819183 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32819183/.
Dufrost V, Risse J, Wahl D, Zuily S. Direct oral anticoagulants use in antiphospholipid syndrome: are these drugs an effective and safe alternative to warfarin? A systematic review of the literature: response to comment. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2017;19(8):52. PMID: 28741234 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28741234/.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/clotting-disorders. Accessed March 3, 2023.
BACK TO TOPReview Date: 1/25/2023
Reviewed By: Neil J. Gonter, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, NY and private practice specializing in Rheumatology at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey, Teaneck, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Health Content Provider
06/01/2025
|
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued. |
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.