What is the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome?

Antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant antibodies, and anti–β2-glycoprotein I antibodies) are associated with an increased risk of both arterial and venous thrombosis and recurrent spontaneous abortions. Patients may present to the dermatologist with livedo reticularis, retiform purpura, ulcerations, deep venous thrombosis, or superficial thrombophlebitis. Sneddon’s syndrome is livedo reticularis/retiform purpura associated with CNS thrombosis (stroke). Catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome involves multiple other organ systems with thrombosis involving the CNS, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and skin.