Publisher's Synopsis
Antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) are a family of related antibodies, which have been defined by in vitro laboratory test systems and include reagin, lupus anticoagulants and anticardiolipin antibodies. Patients with APA show a spectrum of clinical findings such as recurrent arterial and venous thromboembolic events, spontaneous abortions, thrombocytopenia, and a variety of neurologic disorders. This special issue gives an overview of recent advances in the field of APA, including a comprehensive review of laboratory diagnostic strategies, a prospective epidemiologic study as well as clinical and therapeutic aspects. As clinical interest in APA is clearly increasing, this collection of papers will provide valuable information to a wide variety of medical specialists as well as the basic researchers involved in the development of new diagnostic tools.
