Kidney involvement in the antiphospholipid syndrome

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune systemic disease characterized by thrombosis and/or recurrent fetal losses, with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Thrombotic events mostly occurr in the deep veins of lower extremities and in the brain circulation. Recent studies showed evidence that kidney is one of the main target of aPL. Clinical manifestations of renal disease in the APS are hypertension, proteinuria and hematuria. Histology is characterized by thrombotic microangiopathy. In addition, aPL may cause medical problems during dialisis and renal transplantation