Review

Controversies in the antiphospholipid syndrome: can we ever stop warfarin?

Ana G Fonseca and David P D'Cruz

The Lupus Research Unit, the Rayne Institute, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, SE1 7EH, UK

Journal of Autoimmune Diseases 2008, 5:6doi:10.1186/1740-2557-5-6

Published:	11 November 2008

Abstract

Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome are at increased risk for recurrent arterial and venous thrombosis and therefore benefit from long term warfarin therapy. The optimal duration of warfarin therapy after a first venous thromboembolic event is however a matter of some controversy and many questions remain unanswered. After reviewing and analysing the available evidence, we discuss some common scenarios in everyday clinical practice where treatment decisions are difficult.