Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and Its Dermatological Manifestation

Abstract

The article examines lupus anticoagulant and other antiphospholipid antibodies as a group of coagulation inhibitors associated with recurrent thromboembolic complications, cerebral involvement, and pregnancy pathology. The dermatological manifestations of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome are described as distal skin ischemia, extensive skin necrosis, painful treatment-resistant ulcers of the extremities, and livedo; biopsy specimens show changes characteristic of localized intravascular coagulation. The authors emphasize targeted testing for lupus anticoagulant and other antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus-like syndromes, phlebitis of undetermined etiology, and lesions accompanied by extensive thrombosis of cutaneous vessels.