Table 2

Classification criteria for catastrophic APS

Classification criteria
1. Evidence of involvement of 3 or more organs, systems, and/or tissues 
2. Development of manifestations simultaneously or in less than a week 
3. Confirmation by histopathology of small-vessel occlusion* 
4. Laboratory confirmation of aPLs 
Definite catastrophic APS 
  i. All 4 criteria present 
Probable catastrophic APS 
  i. All 4 criteria, except only 2 organs, systems, and/or tissues involved 
  ii. All 4 criteria, except for the absence of laboratory confirmation of aPLs 
  iii. Diagnostic criteria 1, 2, and 4 
  iv. Diagnostic criteria 1, 3, and 4, with the development of a third event >1week
but within 1 mo of presentation, despite anticoagulation 
Classification criteria
1. Evidence of involvement of 3 or more organs, systems, and/or tissues 
2. Development of manifestations simultaneously or in less than a week 
3. Confirmation by histopathology of small-vessel occlusion* 
4. Laboratory confirmation of aPLs 
Definite catastrophic APS 
  i. All 4 criteria present 
Probable catastrophic APS 
  i. All 4 criteria, except only 2 organs, systems, and/or tissues involved 
  ii. All 4 criteria, except for the absence of laboratory confirmation of aPLs 
  iii. Diagnostic criteria 1, 2, and 4 
  iv. Diagnostic criteria 1, 3, and 4, with the development of a third event >1week
but within 1 mo of presentation, despite anticoagulation 

From Cervera et al.79 

*

Vasculitis may coexist, but significant thrombosis must be present as well.

Laboratory detection requires evidence of a lupus anticoagulant, medium-high titer anti-cardiolipin antibodies, or medium-high titer anti–β2-glycoprotein I antibodies on 2 occasions at least 12 weeks apart (our recommendation for medium-to-high titer is >40 units/L).

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