Antiphospholipid antibodies and thrombosis

Antiphospholipid antibodies (eg, anticardiolipin antibodies or the lupus anticoagulant) are a fascinating set of autoantibodies that have been linked to venous and arterial thrombosis, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, and recurrent pregnancy loss. This review high-lights recent advances in the immunology of antiphospholipid antibodies and their target antigens, potential mechanisms of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia, and new methods for laboratory identification of these antibodies. Clinical syndromes associated with antiphospholipid antibodies are also covered, including ischemic neurological disorders, cardiac lesions, venous thromboembolism, and pregnancy loss. In each instance, recommendations for therapy are discussed.