Pulmonary manifestations in antiphospholipid syndrome

Pulmonary manifestations in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are relatively rare compared to other clinical signs of this disease. However, pulmonary microthrombosis is among the most frequent arterial complications of APS. Timely diagnosis of pulmonary manifestations is required due both to their severity and to the-high mortality rate. The spectrum of pulmonary disorders in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies is sometimes referred to as the "antiphospholipid lung syndrome", and includes thromboembolism of lung arteries, pulmonary hypertension, adult respiratory distress syndrome, intra-alveolar hemorrhages, postpartum syndrome, and others. Timely diagnosis and correct therapy, as well as good patient-doctor collaboration, can result in stabilization of the patient's condition. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.