Summary
Fifty-seven pregnancies in women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are presented.
These were treated with s.c. enoxaparin and low dose aspirin. In fourteen pregnancies
warfarin was prescribed between weeks 15-34 (warfarin group). The decision to switch
to warfarin depended on a morbidity score, and the patient’s consent. Neither teratogenicity
nor significant maternal, fetal or neonatal hemorrhage was observed. Despite the higher
pretreatment morbidity score of the warfarin group, the live birth rate was high in
both groups: 86% in the warfarin group and 87% in the non-warfarin group. There was
no significant difference in week of delivery, birth weight, or incidence of thrombosis
between the groups. The study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of anticoagulants
during pregnancy. The use of LMWH in pregnant women with APS not being moot, warfarin
might be justified in selected patients.
Keywords
Antiphospholipid syndrome - pregnancy - low molecular weight heparin - warfarin