A 50-year-old man on ICU develops catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS). He has multi-organ thrombotic microangiopathy with renal failure, ARD...

Question

A 50-year-old man on ICU develops catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS). He has multi-organ thrombotic microangiopathy with renal failure, ARDS, and digital ischaemia. Anti-cardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant are strongly positive. What is the recommended treatment?

Accepted Answer

Triple therapy: therapeutic anticoagulation (IV heparin), high-dose corticosteroids, and either plasma exchange or IV immunoglobulin

Answer

Aspirin alone

Answer

Thrombolysis with alteplase

Answer

Rituximab only

Answer

Conservative management

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome

A 50-year-old man on ICU develops catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS). He has multi-organ thrombotic microangiopathy with renal failure, ARDS, and digital ischaemia. Anti-cardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant are strongly positive. What is the recommended treatment?