Antiphospholipid syndrome is a severe thrombotic disorder with a high risk of recurrence. For many years, the standard treatment for thrombotic complications of antiphospholipid syndrome has been anticoagulation with anti-vitamin K drugs. Over the past decade, direct oral anticoagulants have emerged as the anticoagulant treatment of choice for venous thromboembolic disease in the general population. The purpose of this article has been to review the modalities and objectives of anticoagulant therapy in antiphospholipid syndrome and to discuss the potential place of direct oral anticoagulants in this indication.
Key messages
Treatment of antiphospholipid syndrome is based on long-term anticoagulation in the majority of cases. Vitamin K antagonists remain the standard treatment, although many questions remain open, such as optimal anticoagulation regimen, place of direct oral anticoagulants, and antiplatelet agents, as well.
Key Words
Antiphospholipid syndrome, anticoagulation, guidelines