Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
06:59
Catheter-based Endovascular Angioplasty for Fibrosing Mediastinitis-associated Pulmonary Vein Stenosis
Published on: August 26, 2025
680
Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome: The current management approach
Ignasi Rodriguez-Pintó1, Gerard Espinosa1, Ricard Cervera1
1Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Best Practice & Research. Clinical Rheumatology
|November 26, 2016
Summary
Standard catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) treatment lacks strong evidence for immunomodulatory therapies. Newer treatments like rituximab and eculizumab show promise for severe cases by targeting B cells and complement pathways.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Current catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) management relies on triple therapy (anticoagulation, glucocorticoids, plasma exchange/intravenous immunoglobulins).
- Anticoagulation is the only therapy with a proven significant effect on patient prognosis.
- Evidence supporting immunomodulatory therapies in CAPS is largely indirect or experimental.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current evidence for CAPS management.
- To explore the potential of novel immunomodulatory therapies in severe or refractory CAPS cases.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on CAPS treatment strategies.
- Analysis of recent case reports and studies involving rituximab and eculizumab in CAPS management.
Main Results:
- Only anticoagulation demonstrates a significant impact on CAPS prognosis.
- Rituximab targets CD20-positive B cells, reducing pathogenic autoantibody production.
- Eculizumab inhibits C5 complement protein, preventing C5b-C9 complex formation.
Conclusions:
- Novel therapies like rituximab and eculizumab offer potential new avenues for managing severe or refractory CAPS.
- Targeting B cells and complement pathways may improve outcomes in CAPS patients unresponsive to standard therapies.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
445
Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
445
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
486
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
486
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
374
IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...
374
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
591
Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
591
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
541
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...
541
01:30Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
2.2K
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...
2.2K