Clinical management of thrombophilia-related placental vascular complications

Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state with an increased thrombotic risk throughout gestation and the postpartum period. Women with thrombophilia may have a further increased risk of placental vascular complications, including pregnancy loss, preeciampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and placental abruption. Preliminary data suggest that maternal antithrombotic prophylaxis may result in improved gestational outcome. Randomized trials are under way and hopefully will optimize maternal and neonatal outcome. (C) 2004 by The American Society of Hematology