Introduction:
The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic
autoimmune disease characterized by arterial and venous
thrombosis, gestational morbidity and presence of
elevated and persistently positive serum titers of
antiphospholipid antibodies. Antiphospholipid
syndrome may exist as an isolated immunologic
derangement primary APS (PAPS) or as secondary
antiphospholipid syndrome (SAPS) where it occurs in
association with autoimmune disease, most commonly
SLE. The diagnosis of APS should be suggested
whenever patient has history of repeated pregnancy
loss without any fetal malformation or foetal death in
utero. Other pregnancy complications mainly include
intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), oligohydramnios,
preeclampsia, fetal distress, and preterm labor 1. A severe
complication of pregnancy, which greatly increases its
risk in case of APS, is VTE. Pregnant and postpartum
women are approximately 4 to 5 times more likely to
develop VTE compared with non pregnant women 2.
Many other clinical manifestations may occur. Pregnant
women with APS are considered high-risk obstetric
patients, and medical care should be instituted keeping
this in mind.