Management overview for thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome

This section discusses thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome; for specific advice on obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome, see Management for obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome.

People with known thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome¹ (with or without SLE) require secondary thromboprophylaxis, usually lifelong oral anticoagulation with warfarin. This is stratified by whether the episode is:

• their first thromboembolic episode
• a recurrent thromboembolic episode.

Most commonly, people with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome present with:

• venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
• cerebral arterial thromboembolism manifesting as stroke at a young age.

Any consequences of these conditions must be managed in addition to anticoagulation.