The role of antiphospholipid antibodies in stroke

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are strongly associated with brain infarction and transient ischemia attack (TIA). Current data suggest that up to 10% of all subjects with ischemic stroke harbor either a lupus anticoagulant, cardiolipin antibodies, or both, but the prevalence of these aPL may be higher in particular populations with stroke. Clinical and experimental studies indicate that aPL impair normal vascular endothelial-related anticoagulant functions. Despite these advances in understanding, the causal relationship between aPL and stroke and effective treatments of aPL-related thrombosis remain undefined.