[Vascular pathology in antiphospholipid syndrome]

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) is characterized by the presence of antibodies against phospholipids in circulating blood, recurrent arterial and/or venous thrombosis, recurrent and spontaneous abortions and thrombocytopenia. This syndrome develops in the presence of autoimmune diseases, most frequently lupus erythematosus, neoplastic and infectious processes. Circulating antibodies damage endothelium of the vessels and result in active thrombogenesis and slow fibrinolysis. Morphologically, APLS presents with thrombosis, focal angiomatosis, hemorrhage, endothelium and vascular wall alterations in the absence of inflammatory cell reaction. These lesions may be associated with vasculitis in various organs.