Clinical manifestations and management of the antiphospholipid syndrome

Abstract

Since the original description of associations between lupus anticoagulant and anti cardiolipin antibodies with thrombosis, fetal loss and thrombocytopenia, several distinct clinical manifestations related to this so-called antiphospholipid syndrome have appeared in the literature. Retrospective studies indicate that long-term treatment with oral anticoagu lants can effectively reduce the chance of recurrent thrombosis. However, data from con trolled prospective studies are urgently needed to enable optimal counselling of patients suffering from this syndrome.