ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Even though thrombophilias are associated with negative pregnancy outcomes (PO), there is not a consensus of when thrombophilias should be screened for, or how they affect placental vascularization during pregnancy. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to discover inherited thrombophilias (IHT) in the first trimester in women with otherwise no indications for thrombophilia screening, based on their vascularization parameters. LMWH treatment in improvement of placental vascularization and PO was also assessed. Finally, the classification of thrombophilias based on observed obstetric risks was proposed. METHODS: Women were included in study based on their poor gestational sac and later utero-placental juncture vascularization signal and screening for inherited thrombophilias. LMWH were then initiated and Resistance index of Uterine artery (RIAU) was followed alongside PO (preterm birth, preeclampsia, placental abruption, intrauterine growth reduction). Study group consisted of women with combined inherited thrombophilias. Control group consisted of patients with inherited thrombophilias who have received LMWH therapy since pregnancy beginning. FINDINGS: Out of 219 women, 93 had IHT, and 43 had combined IHT. All pregnancies both in both groups ended up with live births. Vaginal birth was more present in the control group (p < .001), and all women in study group delivered by CS. Premature birth was present in 8.4% of patients in control group, and in 32.55% of the patients in the study (p < .001). PE wasn't noted, and only 1 case of PA in control group. In the control group, 6.5% patients had IUGR, and 32.55% in the study group (p < .05). Based on RIAU and PO, thrombophilia categories were established: S (severe), MO (moderate), MI (mild) and L (low). Higher risk thrombophilias had higher RIAU later in the pregnancy, earlier pregnancy termination and Intrauterine Growth Reduction (IUGR). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombophilias should be considered and screened when poor vascularization is noted early in the pregnancy with Doppler sonography. Intervention with LMWH prevents adverse PO in these patients.
Subject(s)
Pre-Eclampsia , Premature Birth , Thrombophilia , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Female , Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight/therapeutic use , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Placenta , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Outcome , Thrombophilia/drug therapyABSTRACT
Previous adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) in women with hereditary thrombophilia have emerged as new indications for prophylactic use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) during pregnancy. Recent meta-analysis conducted to establish if LMWH may prevent recurrent placenta-mediated pregnancy complications point to important therapeutic effect but these findings are absolutely not universal. Furthermore, previous studies regarding LMWH prophylaxis for APO in women with inherited thrombophilia were performed in high risk patients with previous adverse health outcomes in medical, family and/or obstetric history. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of LMWH prophylaxis on pregnancy outcomes in women with inherited thrombophilias regardless of the presence of previous adverse health outcomes in medical, family, and obstetric history.Prospective analytical cohort study included all referred women with inherited thrombophilia between 11 and 15 weeks of gestation and followed-up to delivery. Patients were allocated in group with LWMH prophylaxis (study group) and control group without LWMH prophylaxis. The groups were compared for laboratory parameters and Doppler flows of umbilical artery at 28 to 30th, 32nd to 34th and 36th to 38th gestational weeks (gw), and for obstetric and perinatal outcomes.The study group included 221 women and control group included 137 women. Mean resistance index of the umbilical artery Ri in 28 to 30, 32 to 34, and 36 to 38 gw were significantly higher in the control group compared to study group (0.71â±â0.02 vs 0.69â±â0.02; 0.67â±â0.03 vs 0.64â±â0.02; and 0.67â±â0.05 vs 0.54â±â0.08, respectively). Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) and miscarriages were statistically significantly more frequent in control group compared to the patients in study (Pâ<â.001). The frequencies of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and APO were significantly higher in the control group compared to the study group (Pâ=â.008 and Pâ<â.001, respectively). In a multivariate regression model with APO as a dependent variable, only Ri was detected as a significant protective factor for APO, after adjusting for age and LMWH prophylaxis (Pâ<â.001).We have demonstrated better perinatal outcomes in women with LMWH prophylaxis for APO compared to untreated women.