Conditions that suggest possible antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)

Antiphospholipid should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the following conditions:

Red flags

• unexplained deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism in patients under 50 years
• stroke in patients under 50
• transient ischemic attacks in patients under 50
• recurrent thrombosis
• thrombosis at an unusual site
• unexplained fetal loss after 10 weeks gestation
• severe or early pre-eclampsia
• pre-eclampsia with severe thrombocytopaenia
• cardiac valve disease
• a new diagnosis of SLE

Yellow flags

• livideo reticularis
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• unexplained persistent thrombocytopaenia
• recurrent early pregnancy loss

Reference:

• (1) Cohen D et al. Diagnosis and management of the antiphospholipid syndrome. BMJ. 2010;340:c2541