Antiphospholipid thrombosis syndromes

Antiphospholipid antibodies are associated strongly with thrombosis and are the most common of the acquired blood protein defects causing thrombosis. Although the precise mechanisms whereby antiphospholipid antibodies alter hemostasis to induce a hypercoagulable state remain unclear, numerous theories have been advanced. The most common thrombotic events associated with anticardiolipin antibodies are deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus (type I syndrome), coronary or peripheral artery thrombosis (type II syndrome), cerebrovascular/retinal vessel thrombosis (type III syndrome), and occasionally, patients presenting with mixtures (type IV syndrome). Type V patients are those with antiphospholipid antibodies and recurrent-miscarriage syndrome.