Neurological involvement as a poor prognostic factor in catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome: autopsy findings in 12 cases

Lupus. 2003;12(2):93-8. doi: 10.1191/0961203303lu335oa.

Abstract

CAPS is an uncommon disease, characterized by clinical evidence of multiple organ involvement and histopathological evidence of multiple vessel occlusions, in patients with either primary or secondary antiphospholipid syndrome. The present series describes the clinical manifestations and autopsy findings of 12 patients with CAPS. Neurological involvement was considered the main cause of death in all of them. CNS pathology revealed thrombotic microangiopathy as well as small and large vessel occlusions in several brain areas. Neurological involvement in CAPS is strongly associated with thrombotic microangiopathy and should be considered a potential cause of death in these patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / complications
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / mortality*
  • Autopsy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Arterial Diseases / complications
  • Intracranial Arterial Diseases / mortality*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Thrombosis / complications
  • Thrombosis / mortality