Low Molecular Weight Heparin Novo (LHN-1) Does Not Cross the Placenta During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

Summary

Unfractionated heparin (UF-H) has been the drug of choice for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders during pregnancy. Low molecular weight heparin (LMW-H) preparations may present some advantages over UF-H. They have longer half-lives and a better bioavailability after subcutaneous (s. c.) injection and may cause less bleeding. It has not yet been established whether LMW-H Novo (LHN-1) crosses the placenta. 17 women admitted for abortion during the second trimester of pregnancy (induced by application of prostaglandine PGE₂ gel at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml into the cervix) were given s. c. 35 anti-Xa units per kg of body weight of LHN-1 (Novo). 10 patients not receiving LHN- 1 and their fetuses served as a control group. 7 women in whom the time interval between injection of LHN-1 and expulsion of the fetus was less than 3 h or more than 7 h were excluded from further study. In one fetus blood collection failed. Anti-Xa and anti-IIa levels increased approximately ten-fold in women receiving LHN-1 [anti-Xa units/ml from 0.02 ± 0.01 (mean ± SD) to 0.17 ± 0.01, p <0.001; anti-IIa units/ml from less than 0.01 ± 0.01 to 0.07 ± 0.03], but remained below the detection limit in their fetuses as well as in the women and fetuses of the control group.

We conclude that LHN-1 at these doses does not cross the placenta during the second trimester of pregnancy to suggest that LHN-1 may be a safe alternative to heparin in the management of the thromboembolic complications during pregnancy.

Key words

Low molecular weight heparin - Pregnancy - Placenta - Abortion - Fetus

• References

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