Syndrome of anti-phospholipid

The syndrome of anti-phospholipid antibodies is responsible for the formation of blood clots in the veins or arteries and the occurrence of abortions, among other problems. This may affect any organ, including the lungs, brain, liver, kidneys, eyes, heart and skin. Women with this syndrome can be repeated miscarriages, which may also occur fetal death near the end of pregnancy.
The syndrome of anti-phospholipid probably involves the immune system, although no one knows its exact cause. People with a syndrome of anti-phospholipid antibodies have interacting with blood proteins, causing it to clot than normal. Antibodies are molecules produced by the immune system which normally fight infection. The fact that show anti-phospholipid does not necessarily mean that a person will develop symptoms (ie, the person may have antibodies but never reach the syndrome itself), and up to 8% of normal persons without evidence of syndrome anti-phospholipid antibodies have these antibodies.
There are two types of syndrome of anti-phospholipid: primary and secondary. People with a syndrome of primary anti-phospholipid present no other associated disease. The secondary form is associated with another immune disease as SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), or to a viral infection. Some physicians believe that certain medications may cause a syndrome of anti-phospholipid secondary, being the most common suspected drug chlorpromazine. One form of limited duration syndrome of anti-phospholipid secondary often occurs in infants after a viral infection.
Treatment
If you have anti-phospholipid antibodies but have not had blood clots or miscarriages, your doctor may recommend that you take a low dose of aspirin every day. However, aspirin increases the risk of bleeding, so the physician must determine whether the uncertain benefits outweigh the risks for themselves.
In persons with a history of blood clots, physicians often prescribe a medicine able to prevent blood clotting called warfarin, which is usually taken for the rest of their lives. People taking warfarin need to conduct blood tests regularly because if the blood is too fluid, increasing the risk of bleeding and if it is not sufficiently fluid, coagulation is more likely.
Another anticoagulant medicine called heparin, which is administered as injections, can be used before you start taking warfarin (which is oral intake). Heparin can also be used in pregnant women in place of warfarin since the latter is not secured to the developing fetus.
A woman with syndrome of anti-phospholipid that is trying to get pregnant after multiple miscarriages may increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy is start receiving injections of heparin and taking low dose aspirin. This treatment should be started as soon as pregnancy is discovered and must be maintained until shortly before delivery, are sometimes used for this purpose a different form of heparin called enoxaparin.
Other drugs used in advanced cases of syndrome of anti-phospholipid include corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs and antiglobulin. However, the benefits of these drugs have not been proven and can cause significant side effects and are therefore used only in persons who do not respond well to anticoagulant drugs.

Prevention
Since it is not known what the exact cause for the onset of the syndrome of anti-phospholipid, there is no way to prevent this situation. However, some changes in lifestyle can reduce the likelihood of forming blood clots. Stop smoking, increase physical activity and avoid drugs suspected to increase the risk of blood clots or cause a syndrome of anti-phospholipid antibodies.