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Autoimmunity Highlights
Published in: Autoimmunity Highlights 1/2014

01-06-2014 | Review Article

Treatment of the antiphospholipid syndrome

Author: Monica Galli

Published in: Autoimmunity Highlights | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

The antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by a combination of laboratory findings (i.e., the presence of at least one antiphospholipid antibody) and clinical manifestations (arterial and/or venous thrombosis, obstetrical complications). Long-term oral anticoagulant is recommended to prevent recurrence of both arterial and venous thrombosis, whereas (low molecular weight) heparin plus aspirin is the treatment of choice to prevent further obstetrical complications. In the rare case of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome, heparin plus high-dose corticosteroids plus plasma exchange is associated with the highest recovery rate. Some new, non-antithrombotic-based treatments of antiphospholipid syndrome with rituximab, autologous stem cell transplantation, or hydroxychloroquine are also reviewed.
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Metadata
Title
Treatment of the antiphospholipid syndrome
Author
Monica Galli
Publication date
01-06-2014
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Autoimmunity Highlights / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 2038-0305
Electronic ISSN: 2038-3274
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13317-013-0056-5

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