The anticardiolipin syndrome.

Anticardiolipin antibodies delineate a recently defined syndrome characterized by venous and arterial thrombosis, thrombocytopenia and recurrent fetal loss, usually in the setting of autoimmune disease. A recently standardized enzyme immunoassay for this antibody is becoming widely available. Treatment is controversial and includes prednisone and aspirin in pregnant patients. Anticoagulation therapy has been recommended for thrombosis. The roles of plasmapheresis and cytotoxic agents have not yet been defined.