Resumo

GOMEZ PUERTA, José A. Fifteen years of the catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome: What have we learned?. Rev.Colomb.Reumatol. [online]. 2007, vol.14, n.2, pp.129-134. ISSN 0121-8123.

The catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was described 15 years ago as a potentially life threatening variant of presentation of APS. Catastrophic APS is characterized by clinical evi-dence of multiple organ involvement developed over a very short time period and histopathological evidence of multiple small vessel occlusions. An early recognition of potential triggers such as infections, surgery, traumatisms or lupus "flares" is mandatory in these patients. The combination of high doses of intravenous (iv) heparin, iv steroids, iv gammaglobulins and/or repeated plasma exchanges is the basic treatment of choice for all patients with this severe condition. The survival rate of catastrophic APS patients have improved during last years, however, global mortality is around 50%.

Palavras-chave : Antiphospholipid antibodies; catastro-phic antiphospholipid syndrome; Multiorganic failure.

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