Antiphospholipid syndrome

Question 1

What is antiphospholipid syndrome?

Answer 1

An acquired disorder characterised by predisposition to arterial and venous thromboses, recurrent fetal loss and thrombocytopenia

Question 2

What conditions is antiphospholipid syndrome primarily associated with?

Answer 2

SLE

Question 3

What are the features of antiphospholipid syndrome?

Answer 3

Venous/ arterial thrombosis
Recurrent miscarriages
Livedo reticularis
Pre-eclampsia
Pulmonary hypertension

Question 4

What antibodies are associated with antiphospholipid syndrome?

Answer 4

Anticardiolipin
Anti-beta2 glycoprotein I
Lupus anticoagulant

Question 5

What is used for primary thromboprophylaxis in antiphospholipid syndrome?

Answer 5

Low-dose aspirin

Question 6

What is used for secondary thromboprophylaxis in antiphospholipid syndrome?

Answer 6

Lifelong warfarin
Add aspirin if further VTE occurs whilst on warfarin

Question 7

What is the target INR for someone on warfarin for antiphospholipid syndrome?

Answer 7

INR of 2-3
(INR of 3-4 if recurrent VTE occurred whilst on warfarin)