Clotting disorders

Question 1

what is antiphospholipid syndrome?

Answer 1

autoimmune hypercoagulable state caused by antiphospholipid antibodies

Question 2

what are the features of antiphospholipid syndrome?

Answer 2

recurrent venous thrombosis (DVT)
arterial thrombosis (stroke)
recurrent miscarriage
pre-eclampsia
placental infarctions
thrombocytopaenia

Question 3

what investigations would you do for antiphospholipid syndrome to confirm the diagnosis?

Answer 3

lupus anticoagulant

anticardiolipin antibody

Question 4

how is antiphospholipid syndrome managed acutely and long-term?

Answer 4

acute: anticoagulate with heparin and warfarin
long-term: warfarin
during pregnancy: LMWheparin and aspirin