Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35954/SM2026.45.1.7.e501Keywords:
Antigoagulants, antibodies antiphospholipid, adrenal cortex hormones, autoimmune diseases, inflammation, multiple organ failure, antiphospholipid syndrome, thrombosisAbstract
Introduction: Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome is a rare variant of Antiphospholipid Syndrome, but it is highly significant due to its poor prognosis and high mortality rate, which approaches 40%. Its pathogenesis involves thrombotic and inflammatory mechanisms associated with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, affecting multiple organs simultaneously or within a short period of time. This leads to multiorgan failure, and therefore, treatment is aimed at attenuating the inflammatory response and preventing new thrombotic events.
Objective: To highlight the importance of recognizing the clinical manifestations of this rare disease in order to initiate early therapeutic measures and increase the survival probability of affected patients.
Methodology: The clinical case of a patient treated at the Central Hospital of the Armed Forces was analyzed. A literature review was conducted, including published articles, case reports, and clinical cases from the past 20 years, in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. No clinical cases or studies related to Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome in Uruguay were found, except during pregnancy. The following databases were consulted: Elsevier, Scielo, PubMed, MSD, and the SER textbook.
The descriptors used were: anticoagulant; antiphospholipid antibodies; corticosteroids; autoimmune diseases; inflammation; multiorgan failure; antiphospholipid syndrome; thrombosis.
Discussion: Given that Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome is a rare variant but with a poor prognosis and high mortality rate, it is crucial to promptly recognize the diagnosis and initiate intensive treatment in a timely manner. This can alter both the functional and vital prognosis of these patients.
This article was approved by the Editorial Committee.
Received for review: September 2025.
Accepted for publication: December 2025.
Publication date: January 2026.
Correspondence: Armed Forces Central Hospital. Av. Centenario 3057. Postal code 11600. Tel.: (+598) 2487 66 66. Montevideo, Uruguay.
Contact email: lorena.debernardis@gmail.com
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Copyright (c) 2026 Maria Lorena Debernardis, Maria Alejandra de Vargas Moraes , María Lucrecia Martin, Ana Karen Yedrzejewski
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