Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Rheumatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder causing thrombosis and pregnancy complications.
• Cardiovascular manifestations in APS include stroke, myocardial infarction, and accelerated atherosclerosis.
• APS involves immunothrombosis, driven by antiphospholipid antibodies and immune complexes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the cardiovascular manifestations and mechanisms of Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS).
• To discuss risk factors and recent classification criteria for APS.
• To outline current management strategies for cardiovascular complications in APS.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of cardiovascular disease in APS.
• Analysis of immunothrombosis mechanisms.
• Evaluation of risk factors and classification criteria.
• Review of therapeutic strategies for APS.

Main Results:

• Cardiovascular disease in APS encompasses thrombosis, valvular heart disease, and atherosclerosis.
• Mechanisms involve endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation, and complement amplification.
• Antibody profile, traditional risk factors, and SLE influence cardiovascular risk.
• New classification criteria improve recognition of cardiovascular domains.

Conclusions:

• APS presents diverse cardiovascular risks beyond thrombosis, linked to immunothrombosis.
• Integrated assessment of antibody profile, traditional risk factors, and clinical phenotype is crucial.
• Vitamin K antagonists remain standard for thrombotic APS; DOACs show increased recurrence risk.