ABSTRACT
Although the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is found predominantly in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) either defined according to the 1982 revised American Rheumatism Association criteria for the classification of SLE, termed lupus-like or probable SLE. Patients with the "primary" APS essentially do not have any of the lupus "flares", polyserositis, or immune complex type nephritis seen in patients with SLE, and "lupus-like" disease. A set of exclusion criteria to distinguish the "primary" APS and the APS secondary to SLE has been proposed. Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome is seen in pregnancy. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is example of the microangiopathic process involving the renal circulation predominantly and also manifesting thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia with schistocytes. The "catastrophic" APS may superficially resemble thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or disseminated intravascular coagulation, and a careful differential diagnosis is essential.
