Antiphospholipid syndrome physical examination

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Feham Tariq, MD [2]

Physical Examination

Physical examination shows no pathognomonic physical findings of APS; however, abnormal features may be found on examination that are related to infarction or ischemia of the skin, viscera, or the central nervous system.

Appearance of the Patient

• Patients with APS usually appear normal.

Vital Signs

• Low-grade fever may be present.

• Weak/bounding pulse / pulsus alternans / paradoxical pulse / asymmetric pulse
• High/low blood pressure with normal pulse pressure / wide pulse pressure / narrow pulse pressure

Cutaneous manifestations

Skin examination of patients with APS is usually positive for:

• Livedo reticularis
• Purpura
• Superficial thrombophelibitis
• Leg ulcers
• Splinter hemorrhages
• Gangrene of the distal extremities
• Leg swelling

HEENT

Abnormal fundoscopic examination findings:

• Retinal artery occlusion findings
• Retinal vein thrombosis findings

Neck

• Neck examination of patients with APS is usually normal.

Lungs

Pulmonary examination of patients with APS may show the following findings:

• Tachypnea in case of pulmonary embolism.

Heart

• Cardiovascular examination of patients with APS shows findings consistent with heart valve disease.
• A high/low grade early/late systolic murmur / diastolic murmur best heard at the base/apex/(specific valve region) may be heard using the bell/diaphgram of the otoscope.

Abdomen

• Abdominal tenderness in the lower abdominal quadrant in case of miscarriage or fetal loss.
• Rebound tenderness
• Guarding may be present

Back

• Back examination of patients with APS is usually normal.

Genitourinary

• Genitourinary examination of patients with APS is usually normal.

Neuromuscular

• Neurological exam findings consistent with stroke or transient ischemic attack.
• Migraine
• Vascular dementia
• Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia