Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

The antiphospholipid syndrome is a disorder of the immune system that is characterized by excessive clotting of blood and certain complications of pregnancy (premature miscarriages, unexplained fetal death, or premature birth ) and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (cardiolipin or lupus anticoagulant antibodies) in the blood. Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome have developed abnormal symptoms while having antiphospholipid antibodies that are detectable with blood testing.

Antiphospholipid syndrome is also called the phospholipid antibody syndrome. Antiphospholipid syndrome has been referred to as Hughes syndrome in honor of the doctor who first described it.

Causes of Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

The exactly causes of this disorder are not finding. Sometimes drugs and infections also may produce abnormal blood-clotting proteins. Annexin V is a protein that disrupts the anticoagulant activity. The levels of annexin V are reduced by antiphospholipid antibodies. Tendency of blood is increased to clot and propensity to pregnancy loss due to decrease the levels of annexin V. the levels of prostacyclin is decreased by anticardiolipin.

Symptoms of Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

Blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis)
Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
Migraines
Repeated miscarriages
Stroke
Lupus
Low counts of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets

Diagnosis of Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

Patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome can have a variety of antibodies to molecules called phospholipids in their blood. These antibodies include VDRL/RPR (a syphilis test that can be falsely positive in these patients), lupus anticoagulant, prolonged PTT, and cardiolipin antibody

Treatment of Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

This treatment may include anticoagulation with heparin or warfarin. Treatment of asymptomatic patients may be considered for those with SLE, family history of thromboembolism, or significant laboratory abnormalities.

Individual patient need unique treatment for Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. Medications such as coumadin and heparin are effective for treatment of this disorder. Use aspirin as low doses to thin the blood. Prednisone related to cortisone can be used to treat of this problem. Use intravenous gamma globulin to treat the selected patients. Heparin is very helpful to reduce this disorder during pregnancy.

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