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Antiphospholipid syndrome-associated PE — SCE Respiratory MCQ

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HardPulmonary Vascular DiseaseAntiphospholipid syndrome-associated PESCE Respiratory

A 50-year-old man has an unprovoked PE and is found to have triple-positive antiphospholipid antibodies on repeat testing 12 weeks apart. He has no active cancer and renal function is normal. What is the most likely underlying cause?

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Correct answer: C — Antiphospholipid syndrome

Persistent triple-positive antiphospholipid antibodies after unprovoked venous thrombosis indicate antiphospholipid syndrome as the underlying prothrombotic disorder. The respiratory distractors do not explain systemic thrombophilia and PE recurrence risk. The clinical implication is that anticoagulant choice differs from routine unprovoked PE.

Reference: NICE NG158; BSH Antiphospholipid Syndrome guidance