Obstetric Antiphospholipid Syndrome From the Perspective of a Rheumatologist

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 14; no. 1; p. e21090
• Main Authors: Santacruz, Juan Camilo, Mantilla, Marta Juliana, Rueda, Igor, Pulido, Sandra, Rodríguez, Gustavo, Londono, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus 10-01-2022
• Subjects: Obstetrics/Gynecology; Rheumatology; obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome; thrombosis; hydroxychloroquine; placental insufficiency; antiphospholipid antibodies
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21090

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease that can lead to thrombotic or obstetric complications. Recent histopathological studies have shown the absence of placental thrombosis, leading to the consideration of other pathophysiological pathways such as inflammation and complement activation. Due to this, various clinical studies are being carried out with different drug agents in order to avoid their complications. The combination of prophylactic heparin treatment and low doses of aspirin today result in successful pregnancies in most cases. Despite this, a minority of patients require alternative therapies to avoid recurrent miscarriage and decrease obstetric morbidity. Thanks to the better understanding of its pathophysiology, other treatments such as low doses of glucocorticoids, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), immunoglobulin, pravastatin, and plasmapheresis have been considered in refractory cases, achieving favorable results. Despite the great advances regarding its treatment, unfortunately, there are no treatments with a good level of evidence to reduce late obstetric complications. The evaluation of preconception risk factors, as well as the antiphospholipid antibody profile, is necessary to establish individual risk and thus anticipate possible complications.