Outcomes of threatened abortions after anticoagulation treatment to prevent recurrent pregnancy loss

We aimed to determine the outcome of threatened abortion in women treated with low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Data of women with RPL who experienced threatened abortion while taking LMWH between 2007 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received the LMWH, enoxaparin (40 mg). Thrombophilia was present in 38 (33.3%) women, including 11 (9.6%) with antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS). The overall live birth rate was 58.8% (67/114). Live birth rates were 87.2% (41/47 patients) and 38.8% (26/67 patients) among those who discontinued versus those who continued LMWH treatment, respectively (P < 0.0001). Among APLS patients, live births resulted in eight of the nine women who continued LMWH. In multivariate analysis, discontinuation of LMWH was the only significant predictor of live birth outcome (P < 0.0001). Thrombophilia, presence of subchorionic haematoma, and severity of bleeding were not found to be associated with live birth outcomes. For women with threatened abortions, continuation of LMWH indicated to prevent RPL was negatively associated with live birth rates. Therefore, we support its discontinuation in this setting. Among women with APLS, LMWH continuation resulted in a relatively high live birth rate; we advocate against its withdrawal in this subset of patients.