Useful For

• Antiphospholipid antibodies are present in 0% to 5% of the general population and in 12% or more of patients with thrombosis.
• These antibodies are associated with an increased risk for arterial or venous thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, and fetal loss.
• Associations with cardiac valve disease, livedo reticularis, and other features are also recognized.
• In a recent prospective study involving individuals with antiphospholipid antibodies, the incidence of thrombosis per year was 1% in individuals with no history of thrombosis, 4% in patients with systemic lupus erythematous, 5.5% in patients with a history of thrombosis, and 6% in individuals with high titer IgG anticardiolipin antibody (>40 units).
• The diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome requires a positive test in the antiphospholipid antibody panel on two separate occasions, at least 6 weeks apart, in the setting of thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, or recurrent miscarriage.