Therapeutic use of intravenous immunoglobulins in the antiphospholipid syndrome.

Although experience remains limited and uncontrolled, intravenous immunoglo bulin (IVIg) therapy probably has a place in the management of selected pat ients with the antiphospholipid syndrome. It seems effective for the preven tion of recurrent pregnancy losses when conventional strategies using subcu taneous heparin and low-dose aspirin have failed. IVIg are currently invest igated in the treatment of recurrent in vitro fertilization failure associa ted with antiphospholipid antibodies. In patients with severe thrombocytope nia, IVIg usually induce a prompt but transient remission. Finally, IVIg as sociated with steroids and heparin might improve survival in the rare but L ife-threatening catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome.