Renal manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome

Abstract

Renal thrombotic manifestations have been reported since the earliest descriptions of the antiphospholipid (Hughes) syndrome (APS). The spectrum of clinical features associated with antiphospholipid nephropathy continues to widen. This review will highlight recent developments such as the prevalence of hypertension, livedo reticularis and renal artery stenosis as well as the ultrastructural changes seen in antiphospholipid nephropathy. The increasing risks of renal transplantation in antiphospholipid antibody positive patients is also discussed leading some authors to question whether these patients should undergo transplantation at all.