Recent trends in the management of antiphospholipid syndrome (Hughes syndrome)

Antiphospholipid syndrome (Hughes syndrome) is characterized by the presence of arterial or venous thrombosis or recurrent miscarriages in a patient with positive laboratory tests for antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin antibodies and/or lupus anticoagulant and/or anti-beta(2) glycoprotein I). Despite the strong association between antiphospholipid antibodies, and thrombosis and obstetric morbidity, their pathogenic role in the development of these clinical features has not been fully elucidated. At present, patients with thrombosis are treated with long-term oral anticoagulation as standard. The approach for women with obstetric manifestations is based on the use of aspirin plus heparin. However, the knowledge of new pathogenic mechanisms might identify novel therapeutic targets and, therefore, may improve the management of these patients.