Anticoagulation in pregnancy complications

Abstract

Women with acquired and inherited thrombophilia are thought to be at increased risk for pregnancy complications, including recurrent pregnancy loss and, depending on the type of thrombophilia, severe preeclampsia. This review discusses the associations between the types of thrombophilia and types of complications, as well as the currently available clinical trial evidence regarding the use of aspirin and heparin to prevent these pregnancy complications. In women with antiphospholipid syndrome, guidelines recommend prescribing aspirin and heparin to women with recurrent miscarriage. The same regimen is suggested for late pregnancy complications by some, but not all, experts. Aspirin or low-molecular-weight heparin to improve pregnancy outcome in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage has no benefit and should not be prescribed. Whether anticoagulant therapy prevents recurrent miscarriage in women with inherited thrombophilia or in women with severe pregnancy complications remains controversial because of inconsistent results from trials. Aspirin modestly decreases the risk of severe preeclampsia in women at high risk.