Recurrent pregnancy loss and thrombophilia

J Clin Med Res. 2010 Feb;2(1):18-22. doi: 10.4021/jocmr2010.02.260w. Epub 2010 Feb 26.

Abstract

Emerging data seem to be available also on the role of active thromboprophylaxis with heparin and pregnancy outcome. In the last decades we found many data concerning the association between a hypercoagulable state and its causes and adverse pregnancy outcome, in particular recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). First studies which focused on the association between thrombophilia and RPL underlined the role of reduced clotting inhibitors and RPL, and subsequent studies underlined a pathogenetic role of gene variant associated to hypercoagulable state in the occurrence of RPL. On the other hand, acquired thrombophilic abnormalities as antiphipsholipid syndrome are a well known cause of RPL and should be considered for a screening. These data are relevant because recent studies suggested a role of an extensive thromprophilaxis in women with RPL that should be addressed only in case of known thrombophilia and high risk of venous thromboembolism.

Keywords: Thrombophilia; Recurrent pregnancy loss; Factor V Leiden; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Antiphospholipid antibodies; PAI 4G\4G.