The antiphospholipid or Hughes' syndrome: An underdiagnosed cause of thrombosis

The antiphospholipid or Hughes' syndrome is the association between antipho spholipid antibodies, recurrent venous and arterial thromboses and recurren t fetal loss. There are many clinical manifestations arising from this acqu ired thrombophilia and these are described in the article. The pathogenic m echanism by which the antibodies cause thrombosis is the subject of much de bate, and current theories are described. The diagnosis and management of p atients with the syndrome are also discussed.