Effectiveness of low-molecular-weight heparin in obstetric outcome of pregnancies having comorbidities with potential thrombotic risk

ABSTRACT

Background: The term “miscarriage” represents a demise of a fetus before it attains maturity. It encompasses all miscarriages between the time of conceive and the end of the pregnancy. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are one of the major reasons for thrombosis in pregnancy causing miscarriages. Since low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) produces fewer thrombocytopenia and is associated with reduced incidence of osteoporosis, it can be given once daily, therefore, it might have significant benefits compared with unfractionated heparin in at risk pregnancy. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to assess pregnancy outcomes after therapy with traditional aspirin supplemented with LMWH among women who are pregnant experiencing thrombosis-related diseases such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APLA) syndrome and IVF pregnancies. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective analysis with a purposive sample of 61 pregnant women who had thrombosis risk factors. Thirty of the pregnancies were confirmed cases for APLA syndrome, whereas the other 30 were IVF conceptions. The comorbid factors were older age, a past of miscarriages, nulliparous IVF pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, diabetes, and obesity. IVF pregnancy accompanied with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was one of the cases. Study participants were administered a regular preventive medication of 40/60 mg s.c. as well as 75/150 mg of oral aspirin. All through gestation, according to patient’s registration weight, were administered every day. Heparin was stopped 24 h before the actual scheduled delivery, while aspirin had been stopped 3–4 days earlier. Results: In this study, 58 live births have been recorded, including 10 cases of preeclampsia, 10 of intrauterine growth retardation, two of eclampsia, two of intrauterine death infants, and two of abortions. There were 18 premature deliveries, nine multiple birth pregnancies, and 35 full-term pregnancies among the live births. There were no cases of HELLP syndrome, placental abruption, and stillbirths. In addition, heparin therapy cured one incidence of post-operative thrombosis of deep veins in pregnancy. It was also observed that early LMWH application to pregnant women with thrombosis risk was able to lower the incidence of miscarriages, gestational fetal death, and decreased weight at birth, and cases of HELLP syndromes. Furthermore, the therapeutic dose in high-risk case of post-delivery deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities cured the mother. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the study that the application of LMWH enhanced the obstetric outcome in pregnant women having increased risk for thrombosis. In future pregnancies with thrombosis risk factors, employing LMWH in conjunction with the documented therapeutic approach may result in a better obstetric outcome.