Antiphospholipid antibodies and cerebrovascular disease.

Antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies) are regarded as important risk factors for ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attacks in young subjects. In fact the interaction of these antibodies with phospholipid may impair the coagulation system at several steps, promoting thrombosis. A variety of therapeutic strategies including corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants have been prescribed in stroke patients with aPLs, but the efficacy of these drugs has not been established yet.