title: Peripartum thromboprophylaxis for homozygous and heterozygous FVL mutation carriers yields similar pregnancy outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Homozygous carriers of factor V Leiden (FVL) have an up to 80-fold increased risk of venous thrombosis, but the risk of obstetric complications in FVL homozygosity is unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare obstetric and thromboembolic complications among factor V Leiden (FVL) homozygous and heterozygous carriers treated with prophylactic dose anticoagulation during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective case-control study we performed a chart review for the years 2004-2010 of homozygous and heterozygous FVL carriers who were treated with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg/day during pregnancy. Adverse outcomes included thromboembolic and obstetric complications. A composite adverse obstetric outcome was defined as the presence of at least one of the following: late intrauterine fetal demise, severe intrauterine growth restriction (< 5th percentile), preeclampsia, and placental abruption. Pregnancy outcomes of homozygous and heterozygous FVL carriers were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We compared the pregnancies of 13 homozygous FVL women with those of 82 heterozygous FVL carriers. Thromboembolic events occurred only in heterozygous FVL controls. Gestational age and birth weight were similar. The composite adverse obstetric outcome rate was higher for homozygous compared with heterozygous FVL carriers (23.1% vs. 11%, respectively), although not statistically significant. A trend for prematurity among homozygous FVL patients was evident, with 2/13 women (15.3%) in the homozygous FVL group giving birth before 34 weeks gestation, compared with only 2/82 (2.3%) in the heterozygous group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnancy outcome was similar for homozygous and heterozygous FVL carriers on LMWH thromboprophylaxis. The overall likelihood of thromboembolic complications was low. Thromboprophylaxis may decrease the risk for placental and thromboembolic complications in homozygous FVL patients to a similar level as in heterozygotes.
authors.forename: Itai
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gat
authors.forename: Mordechai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dulitzki
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schiff
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sivan
authors.forename: Michal J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Simchen
mesh_terms: D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000379:methods; D005165:Factor V / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D058725:Peripartum Period; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; C095381:factor V Leiden; D005165:Factor V