Antiphospholipid syndrome

Question 1

How common is Antiphospholipid syndrome secondary to SLE?

Answer 1

30%

Question 2

What is the pathophysiology of Antiphosphlipid syndrome?

Answer 2

Anti-phospholipid antibodies produced (anti-cardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant) causing range of features (CLOTs)

Question 3

What are the features of Antiphospholipid syndrome?

Answer 3

CLOTs - Venous and Arterial - DVT/Stroke
C - Coagulation defect - increased APTT
L - Livedo reticularis - stagnation of blood in capillaries due to dilation causing mottled appeared of skin
O - Obstetric complications - recurrent 1st trimester miscarriage
T - Thrombocytopenia

Question 4

What is the management of patients with Antiphospholipid syndrome?

Answer 4

Low dose aspirin
Warfarin if recurrent thromboses.
Refer to specialist rheumatology clinics

Question 5

Define thrombocytopenia?

Answer 5

Platelet deficiency causing bleeding into tissues, easy bruising and slow clotting after injury

Question 6

What is ATPP?

Answer 6

Activated ThromboPlastin Time

Time it takes for the blood to clot