Warfarin and heparin monitoring in antiphospholipid syndrome.

Anticoagulation is central to the management of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an acquired thrombo-inflammatory disorder characterized by thrombosis (venous, arterial, or microvascular) or pregnancy morbidity, in association with persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL; ie, 1 or more of lupus anticoagulant [LA], anticardiolipin, anti-beta-2- glycoprotein I, IgG, or IgM antibodies). The mainstay of anticoagulation in patients with thrombotic APS is warfarin or an alternative vitamin K antagonist (VKA) and, in certain situations, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH). Accurate assessment of anticoagulation intensity underpins optimal anticoagulant dosing for thrombus treatment or primary/secondary prevention.

Rivaroxaban for stroke patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (RISAPS): protocol for a randomized controlled, phase IIb proof-of-principle trial.

Background: Optimal secondary prevention antithrombotic therapy for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)-associated ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or other ischemic brain injury is undefined. The standard of care, warfarin or other vitamin K antagonists at standard or high intensity (international normalized ratio (INR) target range 2.0-3.

Comparison of clinical and serological features in thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome patients, with and without associated systemic lupus erythematosus, followed for up to 42 years: A single centre retrospective study.

Objective: To assess the impact of concomitant systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on the clinicopathological manifestations of thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

Methods: This single-centre, retrospective study compared clinical and antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) data from 118 patients, 58 with SLE-associated APS (SLE-APS), and 60 with primary APS.

Results: Median follow-up was 13.

Bleeding events in thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome: prevalence, severity, and associated damage accrual.

Background: Life-long anticoagulation increases bleeding risk in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The Damage Index for Antiphospholipid Syndrome does not include bleeding events in damage accrual.

Objectives: We aimed to characterize the prevalence, severity, and damage associated with bleeding events in patients with APS.

Platelets and Thrombotic Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by thrombosis and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL): lupus anticoagulant and/or IgG/IgM anti-β2-glycoprotein I and anticardiolipin antibodies. APS carries significant morbidity for a relatively young patient population from recurrent thrombosis in any vascular bed (arterial, venous, or microvascular), often despite current standard of care, which is anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKA). Platelets have established roles in thrombosis at any site, and platelet hyperreactivity is clearly demonstrated in the pathophysiology of APS.

Survey on antiphospholipid syndrome diagnosis and antithrombotic treatment in patients with ischemic stroke, other brain ischemic injury, or arterial thromboembolism in other sites: communication from ISTH SSC Subcommittee on Lupus Anticoagulant/Antiphospholipid Antibodies.

Background: The optimal strategy for diagnosis and antithrombotic treatment of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)-associated acute ischemic stroke (AIS), transient ischemic attack (TIA), or other brain ischemic injury is poorly defined.

Objectives: The survey goal was to capture variations in diagnosis and antithrombotic treatment of APS-associated ischemic stroke and related disorders to inform guidance and clinical trials to define optimal management.

Methods: Professional colleagues, including key opinion leaders, were invited to complete a REDCap survey questionnaire initiated by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Scientific and Standardisation Committee Subcommittee on Lupus Anticoagulant/Antiphospholipid Antibodies.

Antiphospholipid syndrome, antiphospholipid antibodies, and stroke.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a prothrombotic autoimmune disease with heterogeneous clinicopathological manifestations and is a well-established cause of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA), particularly in younger patients. There is growing recognition of a wider spectrum of APS-associated cerebrovascular lesions, including white matter hyperintensities, cortical atrophy, and infarcts, which may have clinically important neurocognitive sequalae. Diagnosis of APS-associated AIS/TIA requires expert review of clinical and laboratory information.

The use of fondaparinux and rituximab for recurrent thrombotic events in antiphospholipid syndrome.

Limited evidence exists to guide the management of recurrent thrombosis occurring despite therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). In this case series, fondaparinux, with or without an antiplatelet agent, provided an effective and safe option in three patients with thrombotic APS, all two triple and one single positive for antiphospholipid antibodies, who had recurrent venous and/or arterial thromboembolism. Rituximab was also used in all patients.