When viewing this topic in a different language, you may notice some differences in the way the content is structured, but it still reflects the latest evidence-based guidance.

Síndrome antifosfolipídica

Last reviewed: 24 Sep 2025
Last updated: 14 Oct 2025

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • história ou diagnóstico atual de trombose vascular
  • história de perda gestacional
  • história de morbidade associada à gestação
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • história de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico
  • características da trombocitopenia
  • artralgia/artrite
  • livedo reticular
  • história de outros distúrbios reumatológicos ou doenças do tecido conjuntivo
  • sopro cardíaco
  • edema
  • convulsão, cefaleia, perda de memória, sinais de mielopatia transversa
  • desconforto nos membros, edema, descoloração da pele e úlceras
Full details

Risk factors

  • história de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico
  • história de outros distúrbios reumatológicos autoimunes
  • história de outras doenças autoimunes
  • história de distúrbios hematológicos autoimunes
Full details

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • anticoagulante lúpico
  • anticorpos anticardiolipina
  • anticorpos anti-beta 2-glicoproteína I
  • fator antinuclear, anticorpos para o ácido desoxirribonucleico (DNA) de fita dupla e para o antígeno nuclear extraível
  • Hemograma completo
  • creatinina e ureia
Full details

Investigations to consider

  • ultrassonografia Doppler venosa
  • venografia ou ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM)
  • RNM da trombose
  • angiotomografia do tórax
  • cintilografia de ventilação/perfusão (V/Q)
  • ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) de crânio
  • ecocardiografia
  • exame de trombofilia hereditária
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

não gestante com trombose aguda

gestante

síndrome antifosfolipídica (SAF) catastrófica (gestante ou não gestante)

ONGOING

anticorpos antifosfolipídeos incidentais

Contributors

Authors

Damon Houghton, MD, MS

Associate Professor of Medicine

Mayo Clinic

Gonda Vascular Center

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology & Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Division of Vascular Medicine

Rochester

MN

Disclosures

DH has received clinical research support from Veralox and Bayer.

Ana I. Casanegra, MD, MS

Associate Professor of Medicine

Mayo Clinic

Gonda Vascular Center

Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Division of Vascular Medicine

Rochester

MN

Disclosures

AC declares that she has no competing interests.

Alí Duarte-García, MD, MSc

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Mayo Clinic

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology

Rochester

MN

Disclosures

AD declares that he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Damon Houghton, Dr Ana I. Casanegra and Dr Alí Duarte-García would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Karen A. Breen and Dr Beverley J. Hunt, the previous contributors to this topic. KAB has performed consultancy work for Bayer/Pfizer. BJH is Medical Director of Thrombosis UK and chair of the steering committee for World Thrombosis Day. BJH is an author of a reference cited in this topic.

Peer reviewers

Kuntal Chakravarty, FRCP (London), FRCP (Glasgow), FRCP (Ireland), FACP (USA), FACR (USA)

Consultant Rheumatologist

BHRT University Hospital

Queen’s Hospital

Romford

UK

Disclosures

KC declares that he has no competing interests.

Alan Lichtin, MD

Staff Hematologist

Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center

Cleveland

OH

Disclosures

AL declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewer acknowledgements

BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.

Disclosures

Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Miyakis S, Lockshin MD, Atsumi T, et al. International consensus statement on an update of the classification criteria for definite antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). J Thromb Haemost. 2006 Feb;4(2):295-306.Full text  Abstract

Barbhaiya M, Zuily S, Naden R, et al. 2023 ACR/EULAR antiphospholipid syndrome classification criteria. Ann Rheum Dis. 2023 Oct;82(10):1258-70.Full text  Abstract

Tektonidou MG, Andreoli L, Limper M, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of antiphospholipid syndrome in adults. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019 Oct;78(10):1296-304.Full text  Abstract

Sammaritano LR, Bermas BL, Chakravarty EE, et al. 2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of reproductive health in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2020 Apr;72(4):529-56.Full text  Abstract

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG practice bulletin no. 132: antiphospholipid syndrome. Dec 2012 [internet publication].Full text

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
  • Síndrome antifosfolipídica images
  • Differentials

    • Síndrome de Sneddon
    • Trombofilia hereditária
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • ACR/EULAR antiphospholipid syndrome classification criteria
    • 2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the management of reproductive health in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease
    More Guidelines
  • Patient information

    AVC causado por um coágulo sanguíneo: prevenção de um novo AVC

    Pré-eclâmpsia: o que é?

    More Patient information
  • padlock-lockedLog in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer