Heparin for pregnant women with acquired or inherited thrombophilias (Cochrane Review)

A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 21 January 2003. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

Background: Thrombophilias, which are associated with a predisposition to thrombotic events, have been implicated in adverse obstetrical outcomes such as intrauterine growth restriction, stillbirth, severe early onset pre-eclampsia, and placental abruption. Heparin administration in pregnancy may reduce the risk of these events.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of heparin on pregnancy outcomes for women with a thrombophilia.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register (July 2002), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scidex (via OVID Technologies - July 2002) and reference lists and personal files.

Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials comparing heparin with placebo or no treatment, or randomized controlled trials comparing any two treatments. Quasi randomized studies would be included.

Data collection and analysis: Data would be abstracted from identified studies and recorded on a paper form by two reviewers.

Main results: No studies were included.

Reviewers' conclusions: There are no completed trials to determine the effects of heparin on pregnancy outcomes for women with a thrombophilia.

Citation: Walker MC, Ferguson SE, Allen VM. Heparin for pregnant women with acquired or inherited thrombophilias (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

---

This is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).

The Cochrane Library is designed and produced by Update Software Ltd.

Update Software Ltd, Summertown Pavilion, Middle Way, Oxford OX2 7LG, UK
(Tel:+44 1865 513902; Fax:+44 1865 516918)

File Reference: AB003580.htm