Pregnancy outcome in women with mechanical prosthetic heart valvesat their first trimester of pregnancy treated with unfractionated heparin (UFH) or enoxaparin: a randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Pregnancy increases the risks of thromboembolism for the mother and fetus in patients with mechanical heart valves. The results of some studies have indicated that low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), in comparison with unfractionated heparin (UFH), leads to a lower incidence rate of thrombocytopenia and a decrease in bleeding.
Methods: The present randomized clinical trial involved 31 pregnant women with mechanical heart valves at their first trimester (0-14 weeks) of pregnancy. To perform the study, the patients were divided into two groups, i.e. group A (LMWH group-16 patients) and group B (UFH group-15 patients). The birth weight, mode of delivery, and gestational age at birth as well as the maternal and fetal complications were compared between the two groups.
Results: The mean age of mothers in the UFH and LMWH groups was 32.67±9.11 and 31.50±5.81years, respectively (P value > 0.05). Although the rate of maternal and fetal complications was higher in the UFH group as compared with the LMWH group, the observed difference was not significant (P value > 0.05).
Conclusion: LMWH can be regarded as a safer therapy for both the mother and fetus due to its lower number of refill prescriptions and fewer changes in the blood level.