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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffAntiphospholipid syndrome is a condition that can cause clotting within your arteries or veins and various other problems, some life-threatening.
Antiphospholipid syndrome may cause clots to form in your legs, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Antiphospholipid syndrome may also cause blood clots to form in organs, such as your kidneys or lungs. Damage depends on the extent and location of the clot. For instance, a clot in your brain can cause stroke.
In antiphospholipid syndrome, your immune system mistakenly produces antibodies to certain proteins in your blood. Antibodies are specialized proteins that normally attack body invaders, such as viruses and bacteria.
There's no cure for antiphospholipid syndrome, but medications can be effective in reducing your risk of blood clots.
Symptoms- Ahmed K, et al. Postpartum spontaneous colonic perforation due to antiphospholipid syndrome. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2009;15:502.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/antiphosphlipid/antiphospholipid.htm. Accessed Jan. 21, 2009.
- Learning about antiphospholipid syndrome. National Human Genome Research Institute. http://www.genome.gov/pfv.cfm?pageID=17516396. Accessed Jan. 21, 2009.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome. Washington, D.C.: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2008 Compendium of Selected Publications. 2008.
- Pruthi RK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 5, 2009.
- Bermas BL, et al. Diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 5, 2009.
