Antiphospholipid syndrome and pregnancy

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a group of autoimmune disorders that are characterized by the formation of a large number of antibodies to the phospholipids present in the blood plasma (antiphospholipid antibodies). Among women suffering from habitual miscarriage , the incidence of antiphospholipid syndrome is high, and is 28-43%. The main complication of this pathology is thrombosis.

What are the main reasons for the development of APS?

The causes of the development of antiphospholipid syndrome are few. This pathology can develop in the following cases:

1. When a woman is sick with systemic lupus erythematosus .
2. Presence in the anamnesis of a thrombosis. When thrombosed vessels that supply blood to the intestine, the so-called "abdominal toad" develops, which is characterized by the appearance of pressing, constricting pains in the abdominal area immediately after ingestion.
3. Reduction of platelets in the blood, which is not accompanied by pathological phenomena.
4. The presence of a history of myocardial infarction and other diseases associated with cardiac circulatory disorders.

How is antiphospholipid syndrome manifested?

Symptoms of antiphospholipid syndrome, directly depend on many factors. So very important are the following features:

• the size and location of the vessels affected by the pathology;
• the process of clogging the lumen in them.

So, in the case when there is a blockage of small vessels, relatively light violations of the functions of the organ that feeds on them are observed. For example, if the patency of small vascular reticulums is disturbed, there is a violation of contractility of individual parts of the myocardium, but if the lumen of the coronary artery is closed, a myocardial infarction will occur.

Very often antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnant women can mimic various other pathologies, which are characterized by the same symptoms. Thus, signs of antiphospholipid syndrome can be manifested in the presence of a reticular lyvedo (lacy, thin mesh of vessels on the skin surface). Also, chronic shin ulcers, which are difficult to treat, and even peripheral gangrene, can indicate the presence of this pathology in the body.

How is treatment carried out?

Treatment of antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnancy is carried out under the control of two doctors: a gynecologist and a rheumatologist. The basic therapy of this pathology is the use of glucocorticoids and cytostatics. With a high content of antibodies in the blood, the only solution is to conduct plasmapheresis (blood purification).