<unk> , or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome <unk>  or<unk> , is an autoimmune, hypercoagulable state caused by antiphospholipid antibodies.<unk>  provokes blood clots (thrombosis) in both arteries and veins as well as pregnancy-related complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and severe preeclampsia. Although the exact etiology of<unk>  is still not clear, genetics is believed to play a key role in the development of the disease. The diagnostic criteria require one clinical event (i.e. thrombosis or pregnancy complication) and two positive blood test results spaced at least three months apart that detect lupus anticoagulant, anti-apolipoprotein antibodies, or anti-cardiolipin antibodies.<unk>  can be primary or secondary. Primary<unk>  occurs in the absence of any other related disease. Secondary<unk>  occurs with other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In rare cases,<unk>  leads to rapid organ failure due to generalised thrombosis; this is termed "catastrophic<unk> " (CAPS or Asherson syndrome) and is associated with a high risk of death.<unk>  often requires treatment with anticoagulant medication such as heparin to reduce the risk of further episodes of thrombosis and improve the prognosis of pregnancy. Warfarin (brand name Coumadin) is not used during pregnancy because it can cross the placenta, unlike heparin, and is teratogenic.
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Protein C deficiency
Protein S deficiency
Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome
Acquired haemophilia
Antithrombin III deficiency
Sticky platelet syndrome
Congenital hypofibrinogenemia