Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) APS is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by recurring blood clots resulting from antibodies formed against phospholipids • Blood clots can form in arteries, veins, or microvasculature Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL): • Lupus anticoagulant (LA) • Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) • Anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aß2-GPl) The origin of these antibodies is unknown Diagnosis of APS - Presence of at least: • 1 clinical event (confirmed venous, arterial, or small-vessel thrombosis) • 1 of the three aPLs measured on 2 or more occasions 12 weeks apart For patients to be diagnosed with APS, presence of 1 clinical event and presence of one of the antibodies have to be present Treatment (EULAR Guidelines): • Anticoagulation with warfarin is recommended; INR target 2-3 • If patient has an arterial/venous event while on warfarin and INR target 2-3 was achieved; it's reasonable to increase INR target to 3-4 • DOACs are currently not recommended in APS Mirna Guirguis, PharmD @mirna_guirguis #Antiphospholipid #Syndrome #APS #diagnosis #management #anticoagulation #guidelines
