Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome: A case with unusual findings revealed in autopsy and a brief literature update

Abstract

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a rare and life-threatening disease. It is characterized by multiple arterial and/or venous thrombotic events, including the microcirculation, occurring in a short period, and can affect any system. Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome can occur in individuals with known APS under treatment, or it can be its first manifestation; in most cases, there is a triggering factor that can be identified. In this case report, we report a case of CAPS with multiple thromboses at unusual sites, including the lungs, coronary arteries, stomach, thyroid, gastrocnemius muscles, lymph nodes, and bladder, in a patient with previous diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus