Criteria of Asherson et al for the Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome (CAPS)

 

Criteria:

(1) involvement of organs, organ systems or tissues

(2) rapid progression (simultaneously or in less than 1 week)

(3) laboratory demonstration of antiphospholipid antibodies

(4) histologic evidence of small vessel occlusion (may involve 1 or more sites; may be accompanied by vasculitis)

Number of Organs	Progression	Lab Evidence	Histologic Evidence	Diagnosis
>= 3	acute	present	present	definite
2	acute	present	present	probable
>= 3	abute	not available	present	probable
>= 3	subacute	present	present	probable

 

where:

• Involvement of an organ or tissue may be demonstrated by imaging studies.

• Renal involvement is defined by an increase in serum creatinine by 50% or more, severe arterial hypertension and/or proteinuria.

• Subacute progression may involve progression from 1 to 4 weeks after presentation despite anticoagulation.

• Laboratory evidence may not available if testing was not done or if the patient dies.