Antiphospholipid syndrome

The antiphospholipid syndrome is an illness characterized by recurrent venous or arterial thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss, and thrombocytopenia. It is diagnosed by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, such as anticardiolipin antibody or lupus anticoagulant. Although the antiphospholipid syndrome affects a significant number of patients, these patients may be unrecognized because the syndrome has not been well reported in the primary care literature.