Related Experiment Videos

The role of antiphospholipid syndrome in cardiovascular disease

Brian R Long1, Ferdinand Leya

  • 1Tennessee Heart & Vascular Institute, P.C., Skyline Medical Center, 3443 Dickerson Pike, Nashville, TN 37207, USA. brlong25@hotmail.com

Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America
|January 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) causes numerous cardiovascular issues, including atherosclerosis and heart valve disease. This review covers APS-related cardiovascular conditions, their mechanisms, and current treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder.
  • APS is linked to a higher risk of blood clots and pregnancy complications.
  • Cardiovascular manifestations are a significant concern in APS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in APS.
  • To explore the proposed mechanisms behind these cardiovascular manifestations.
  • To discuss current treatment recommendations for cardiovascular complications in APS.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on APS and cardiovascular disease.
  • Analysis of reported cardiovascular manifestations in APS patients.
  • Synthesis of proposed pathomechanisms and treatment guidelines.

Main Results:

  • APS is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis, valvular heart disease, intracardiac thrombi, myocardial and pericardial disease.
  • Cerebral and peripheral vascular disease are common.
  • Premature restenosis of vein grafts and coronary stents occurs in APS.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiovascular disease is a major complication of APS.
  • Understanding the mechanisms is key to effective management.
  • Current treatment strategies focus on anticoagulation and risk factor modification.

Related Concept Videos

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:19

Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...
Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors01:20

Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors

Antiplatelet drugs emerge as frontline defenders against the insidious threat of thromboembolic diseases, where abnormal clots obstruct vital blood vessels. These drugs stand as bulwarks, inhibiting platelet aggregation and clot formation, thereby mitigating the risk of life-threatening conditions like myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and thrombotic strokes.
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...