Anti-phospholipid antibodies and vascular pathology

Over the past decade it has been recognized that there is an association between the presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant, anti-cardiolipin antibodies) and thromboembolic phenomena. This "anti-phospholipid syndrome", which was originally described in patients with lupus erythematosus also occurs in patients without an underlying systemic disease. An answer to the question whether anti-phospholipid antibodies cause thrombosis warrants further studies. Especially the recent findings on a role of plasma proteins in the binding of these antibodies to phospholipids will have to be taken into account. To obtain guidelines for optimal treatment of patients suffering from this syndrome, additional studies will have to be performed.