Antiphospholipid antibodies and thrombosis

Antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with arterial and venous thrombo sis, recurrent pregnancy loss, and thrombocytopenia. Although the antibodie s have not been conclusively shown to be causal in thrombosis and miscarria ge, they are useful laboratory markers for the antiphospholipid syndrome. T he identification of the syndrome is clinically important because of the ri sk of recurrent thrombosis and the need for antithrombotic therapy in many cases. Diagnosis and treatment of antiphospholipid syndrome is difficult, h owever, because of the protean clinical manifestations and associations, li mitations of existing laboratory tests for antiphospholipid antibodies, and the absence of evidence-based guidance on best management.