THE ANESTHETIST AND THE ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME

Antiphospholipid syndrome is a paradoxical disease state with in vitro prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time and a strong pr edilection for in vivo thrombosis. The syndrome can be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus-like diseases or may be primary , presenting with thrombotic phenomena in young patients with no risk factors for thrombosis. We present two cases seen in two different set tings in the hospital.