Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome Hughes syndrome

• Facts:
  Syndrome occurs due to the autoimmune production of antibodies against phospholipid (aPL), a cell membrane substance
  
  Prolongs the aPTT by binding the phospholipids used in the assay
  
• History / PE:
  Previous miscarriages, still births
  Arterial and venous thrombus
• Diagnosis:
  Prolonged aPTT
  Anti-cardiolipin antibodies
  False positive VDRL
  Thrombocytopenia
• Treatment:
  ASA
  Warfarin
• Notes:
  Occurs in 5-10% of SLE patients (lupus anticoagulant)
  
  For pregnant women with APS, give prophylaxis ASA and low molecular weight heparin to avoid pregnancy loss
• See Also:
  Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Associated With:
  Blood clots in BOTH arteries and veins
• Differential Diagnosis:
  Heparin induced thrombocytopenia