Antiphospholipid syndrome
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* Corresponding author: Ricard Cervera rcervera@clinic.ub.es
Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Institut Clínic de Medicina i Dermatologia, Hospital Clínic, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008, 10:230 doi:10.1186/ar2536
Published: 15 December 2008Abstract
Antiphospholipid syndrome is diagnosed when arterial or venous thrombosis or recurrent miscarriages occur in a person in whom laboratory tests for antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin antibodies and/or lupus anticoagulant and/or anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I) are positive. Despite the strong association between antiphospho-lipid antibodies and thrombosis, their pathogenic role in the development of thrombosis has not been fully elucidated. Novel mechanisms involving both the complement pathway and micro-particles have been described. The knowledge of these new pathogenic approaches might identify novel therapeutic targets and therefore may improve the management of these patients.