Neurológia pre prax 5/2010

Antiphospholipid syndrome: one of the causes of ischaemic stroke in young age

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rather rare condition with a great variability of clinical signs and many pitfalls in differential diagnosis. APS is defined by a complex of clinical and laboratory features. The clinical criterion is vascular thrombosis and/or complications of pregnancy and laboratory evidence involves the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APA). In addition to vascular thrombosis, the most common manifestation of APS is ischaemic stroke. The correct recognition of the fact that neurovascular symptoms are caused by APS is crucial for the management of the disease and its treatment. Some neurovascular clinical manifestations associated with APS are presented as brief case reports.

Keywords: antiphospholipid syndrome, antiphospholipid antibodies, thrombosis, ischaemic stroke, heart valve lesions, anticoagulant therapy.