Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome
Anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome is a condition where there are circulating antibodies to phospholipids, one of the constituents of many of the structures present in lots of our cells: the word means a fatty chain (a lipid) with a phosphate group at the end (phosphate groups consist of phosphorus and oxygen). The presence of these antibodies predisposes to the development of thrombosis in both veins and arteries. This gives rise to deep venous thrombosis, recurrent miscarriage, and arterial disease affecting either the brain - producing strokes or transient ischaemic attacks, described in the section on the brain; the heart producing angina or heart attack, or the limbs causing relative lack of oxygen (called peripheral vascular disease) and potential gangrene. It was initially thought that this condition only occurred in association with systemic lupus erythematosis (described in this section) but it is now recognised that it is a primary disorder in its own right. The treatment is to thin the blood.
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