Use of low molecular weight heparin in acute venous thromboembolic events in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes arising from the use of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH) in the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy.


METHODS
A retrospective review of the charts of all women treated for acute VTE in pregnancy at the Ottawa Hospital from January 1990 to December 1999.


RESULTS
Twenty-three cases were identified, of which 11 were treated with LMWH and 12 with UFH. Maternal and fetal outcomes were similar between the two groups. Hospital length of stay was shorter in the LMWH group. There was no difference in delivery management between the two groups. There was minor bleeding in 2 women in the UFH group and none in the LMWH group. There was one recurrent VTE during treatment in each of the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no difference in complication rate between LMWH and UFH in the treatment of acute VTE in pregnancy.
University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Janine C
JC
Malcolm
Erin J
EJ
Keely
Alan J
AJ
Karovitch
Philip S
PS
Wells
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006493:Heparin