THE ANTICARDIOLIPIN (ANTIBODY) SYNDROME

The anticardiolipin antibody syndrome is relatively uncommon. It shoul d be suspected mostly in young people with unexplained embolic or thro mbotic events. A young patient with an abnormal prothrombin time, part ial thromboplastin time, or venereal disease research lab test with on e of the above noted vascular events would be a suspect for this disor der. Though an antibody test that will qualitatively and quantitativel y measure antiphospholipid antibodies is available, its clinical appli cation is not entirely clear. The presence of the antibody will suppor t a diagnosis but cannot be used alone for diagnosis or treatment.