Case Reports Transfusion Medicine 2025 Exercise 4: A Suspected Case of Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Classification Criteria, Supporting Laboratory Testing, and the Role of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange

Authors

Jesse Qiao, MD

Daniel Nguyen, MD

Zachary Smolag, MD

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

University of California, Irvine

Irvine, California

Primary Audience: Pathologists and Clinical Scientists
Secondary Audience: Residents, Laboratory Technologist/Scientist (Includes all sub-specialty areas), Students, Pathologist Assistants,  Laboratory Directors and Educators

Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:

·       summarize the pathophysiology of antiphospholipid syndrome;

·       describe the domains and algorithm of the 2023 ACR/EULAR Criteria for the classification of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS);

·       explain the role of laboratory testing to facilitate APS diagnoses;

·       interpret lupus anticoagulant testing for a particular lupus anticoagulant testing scheme, such as the Dilute Russell Viper Venom Time (dRVVT);

·       recognize the clinical features of Catastrophic APS; and

·       discuss special considerations of plasma exchange in the treatment of Catastrophic APS.