Antiphospholipid Syndrome (cont.)
What is catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome?
Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome is a variant of antiphospholipid syndrome that is characterized by blockage of many blood vessels throughout the body. As a result of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome, many organs can be affected, including the skin, lungs, brain, heart, kidneys, and bowels. Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome is treated with anticoagulation, corticosteroids (cortisone medication), and plasmapheresis (plasma exchange).
Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome is rare, affecting less than 1% of those with antiphospholipid syndrome. Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome is sometimes referred to as Asherson's syndrome after the researcher who described it in the early 1990s.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome is an immune
disorder that can affect virtually any organ.
- Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome
can have a variety of antibodies to phospholipids in their blood.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome involves
abnormal tendency toward clotting of blood.
- Each individual patient with the antiphospholipid syndrome is treated uniquely according to
what symptoms are present.
References:
Bucciarelli S., et al. Mortality in the Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Arthritis & Rheumatism 2006;2568-76.
Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, W B Saunders Co, edited by Shaun Ruddy, et al., 2000.
American College of Rheumatology, Annual Scientific Meeting; November, 2006, 2007.
Last Editorial Review: 2/4/2008
- warfarin, Coumadin - Reveals the medication warfarin (Coumadin) a drug used to inhibit the synthesis of clotting factors, thus preventing blood clot formation. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) - A complete blood count (CBC) measures the concentration of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the blood and aids in the diagnosis of conditions and diseases such as anemia, malignancies, and immune disorders.
- Lupus - Get information on lupus (SLE) disease treatment, signs, diagnosis, types of symptoms (butterfly, discoid rash), causes, pregnancy flares, prevention and statistics.
Latest Medical News
Arthritis RSS