Abstract
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by recurrent arterial or venous thrombosis and/or gestational morbidity and by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. It can also cause other vascular manifestations such as microangiopathy, chronic arteriopathy and catastrophic APS (CAPS). Certain laboratory tests for the syndrome (for example, the lupus anticoagulant test) can be affected by the use of anticoagulant agents, making diagnosis more difficult. The pathophysiology of APS is complex, and several mechanisms of pathogenesis related to coagulation, endothelium, and platelets are discussed in this article. We conclude by discussing treatment of APS according to the presence and type of clinical manifestations, use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAs), and perioperative management of patients with APS.
Keywords:
antiphospholipid syndrome; lupus anticoagulant; anticardiolipin antibodies; thrombosis; autoimmunity