Antiphospholipid antibodies.

Antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs) have been associated with thromboembolic events. Since they were fi rst described in 1906, APAs have been the subject of multidisciplinary studies seeking to link them to potential pathophysiologic mechanisms. This review summarizes the different types of APAs, antigenic targets, clinical complications associated with APAs, and APA syndrome. In addition, the currently available methods for laboratory identification of lupus anticoagulants are discussed, as is the laboratory diagnosis of anticardiolipin antibodies.