Anticoagulant Therapy During Pregnancy for Maternal and Fetal Acquired and Inherited Thrombophilia

Thromboembolism is an infrequent, yet serious cause of both maternal and fetal morbidity and death during pregnancy and the puerperium. Antithrombotic treatment and prophylaxis both before and during pregnancy are based on unfractionated heparin (UH), lowmolecularweight heparin (LMWH), Warfarin and Aspirin. The prevalence and severity of thromboembolism during pregnancy and puerperium warrant special consideration of management and therapy. Such therapy includes the treatment of acute thrombotic events and prophylaxis for those at increased risk of thrombotic events. This paper assesses the safety and efficacy of antithrombotic therapy during pregnancy and the peripartum period. Its cardiovascular and obstetric indications, the evidence of association between thrombophilias and adverse pregnancy outcome, regimens and maternal and fetal side-effects are also discussed.f