A patient with the catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome may benefit from a series of plasmapheresis procedures.
In the catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome the patient has multiple thrombi and antiphospholipid antibodies in the serum.
Removal of the patient's plasma can reduce the concentration of the autoantibodies but often the effect is temporary unless:
(1) the plasmapheresis is performed as a series of procedures
(2) therapy is given to reduce immunoglobulin production
(3) anticoagulation
Some authors also give intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg).
Additional factors that affect decision-making:
(1) pregnancy
(2) surgery or other critical illness
(3) past history of thrombotic events
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Specialty: Clinical Laboratory, Hematology Oncology
