Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is a disease related to Hematology. The condition arrives when the Antiphospholipid antibody are found in the blood. The presence of Antiphospholipid antibody does not necessarily lead to the syndrome; however, commonly the syndrome is blamed to the antibody. The impact of the disorder is adverse in human health. It is a life threatening disease and causes strokes, heart attacks, thrombosis and other dangerous diseases. The impact of the Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome during pregnancy is also considered risky and miscarriage, Eclampsia or premature baby are the common effect.

Causes of Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome:

Antiphospholipid antibody is required in the human system. A healthy person has almost 1% to 5% Antiphospholipid antibody present in the body. However, the risk of having the syndrome may occur even within this range. The exact reason of this disorder is unknown and unpredictable. The mechanism, however, includes the fall of Annexin V. It is a protein having the anticoagulant characteristics. Antiphospholipid antibody reduce the protein that binds it and generates health related issues and problems. The disorder is, however, more likely to happen to women than men. The testing of blood samples may indicate a disorder. Hence, it is very much important to understand the symptoms of the disorder.

Symptoms of Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome:

The immune system has multiple antibodies, but it attacks the protein and create the serious health problems. The signs are

Thrombosis: Thrombosis is the main symptom of the disorder. The anti clotting property of the blood gets destroyed by it and cause thrombosis or blood clotting in veins and arteries. The most common place of clotting is leg. However, it can be found in any organ, starting from Lungs to Brain.

But the threat of Thrombosis increases if it takes the form of Embolism. It is also a kind of thrombosis but the clot moves around the body. The single clot may block the door or passage of bloodstream in the body. If the clot blocks the passage of Lungs, then it can become fatal for the patient. This condition is known as Pulmonary Embolism.

Pregnancy Problems: Due to clotting and blocking of blood vessels, pregnancy could be affected due to the syndrome. The most common impact that the disorder shows in pregnancy is the miscarriage. The reports and cases of premature baby are also very common in Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

Stroke and Heart Attacks: The reason of all the symptoms for Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is clotting of blood. Strokes are very frequent in this disorder, the major reason of the stroke is blocking of blood vessels veins and arteries. Special and crucial organs like brain hold the most relevance in the strokes. Any clot or blocking in the organs may invite life threatening strokes or attacks.

Reduction in Platelets: Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome has an adverse effect on Platelets. The disorder might decrease the count very rapidly by enhancing the anti clotting property of the body.

Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Diagnosis:

Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome diagnosis is very crucial for its treatment. A hematologist carefully goes through the medical reports of the patient before analyzing the blood test report. The most important factor for Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome to be diagnosed is the medical history of the disorder. It has been often observed that, even with the presence of Antiphsopholipid antibodies, the syndrome remains absent. However, presence of autoimmune disorders like lupus and others certainly increases the chance of Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome in the body.

The blood report of the patient may indicate the presence of Antiphospholipid Antibodies, but confirmation or the diagnosis becomes more prominent when the disorder becomes visible in the medical history of the patient. The hematologists hence carefully observe the history especially in the case of pregnant women who are more susceptible to the Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.

Treatment of Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome:

Normal Patients:

The treatment of Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is basically treatment of the blood and its anticoagulant property. To counter the problem of anti clotting doctors may advice, Aspirin primarily. However, the combination of Aspirin and Warfarin is mostly preferred to control the clotting. In the case of higher amount of antibody the dose may be increased and also Heparin may be prescribed to the patient. Heparin is generally injected into the vessels. However, the anticlotting treatment continues life long for the patient, as it cannot be cured.

Pregnant Patient:

Patient who is diagnosed with Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome should take a pregnancy very seriously. Doctor should be consulted right after the attempt to conceive. Delay in treatment may harm the baby and its birth. Doctor generally advises the use of Aspirin in case of pregnant women. Heparin is also used along with it, however, Warfarin is refrained. Warfarin causes pregnancy problems and thus is not used for the pregnant patients.