Antiphospholipid antibodies – risk factors for venous thromboembolism and arterial thrombosis

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a disorder of increased risk of thrombotic complications: venous thromboembolic disease, arterial thrombosis, and recurrent pregnancy loss. There is a much higher rate of recurrences of these thrombotic events as well. Some recent clinical trials have shown the superiority of the lupus anticoagulant and anti-β2 glycoprotein-I antibodies assays over anticardiolipin determination for the identification of APS patients at risk for thromboembolic complications. The principles of the primary prophylaxis, treatment and secondary prophylaxis of thrombotic complications in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome has been also summarized.