Systemic vascular diseases in the antiphospholipid syndrome. What is the best diagnostic choice?

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease which is characterized by arterial and venous thromboses, fetal loss, and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in the serum (aPL). It is characterized by accelerated atherosclerosis and that together with an increased tendency towards thrombosis leading to the occurrence of various vascular events. Timely diagnosis of vascular changes, preferably in subclinical phase, is required due both to their severity and to the high mortality rate. Detection of arterial and venous changes nowadays is performed through diversity of invasive and non invasive diagnostic methods. 64-multi slice computed tomographic angiography (64-MSCT) seems to be the most precise method with low exposure time, giving the opportunity for clinicians to early diagnose and timely treat APS patients.