scholarly journals The impact of low molecular weight heparin on obstetric outcomes among unexplained recurrent miscarriages complicated with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism

2017 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 260-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orkun Cetin ◽  
Erbil Karaman ◽  
Numan Cim ◽  
Deniz Dirik ◽  
Hanim Guler Sahin ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Erdem Fadiloglu ◽  
Atakan Tanacan ◽  
Canan Unal ◽  
Mehmet Sinan Beksac

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate the subsequent pregnancy outcomes of women who have experienced unexplained stillbirth in their previous gestations.</p><p><strong>Study Design:</strong> This retrospective cohort consisted of 14 pregnancies who had stillbirth (without known risk factors) in their previous pregnancies. These patients had been included in a special preconceptional care program to be evaluated in terms of etiological risk factors for stillbirth. At least one of the risk factors, such as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms, hereditary thrombophilias and autoimmune problems, were defined in this study population. After detection of pregnancy, the patients were administered low-dose low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) (enoxaparin, 1×2000 Anti-XA IU/0.2 mL/day), low-dose salicylic acid (100 mg/day) and low-dose corticosteroid (methylprednisolone, 1×4 mg/day orally) in necessary cases.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Out of 14 pregnancies, 4 (28.5%) ended up with miscarriages at 9, 11, 11 and 15 gestational weeks, respectively. The remaining 10 pregnancies ended up with alive deliveries. The mean gestational week at birth was 36.4±0.51, while the mean birthweight was 2882±381.01 g. Out of 10 pregnancies, only one was diagnosed as IUGR. Only two newborn necessitated hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to respiratory problems. Both newborns were discharged from the NICU without any further complication at the post-partum 5th day. </p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Patients with a prior stillbirth should be screened for MTHFR polymorphisms, autoimmune problems and hereditary thrombophilias, especially in case of absence of any etiological factor. Management of these patients with low-dose aspirin, low-dose low molecular weight heparin and corticosteroids seemed to be beneficial for increasing live birth rates and avoiding obstetric complications.</p>


2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 2532-2539 ◽  
Author(s):  
William L. Dahut ◽  
James L. Gulley ◽  
Philip M. Arlen ◽  
Yinong Liu ◽  
Katherine M. Fedenko ◽  
...  

Purpose Both docetaxel and thalidomide have demonstrated activity in androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). We compared the efficacy of docetaxel to docetaxel plus thalidomide in patients with AIPC. Methods Seventy-five patients with chemotherapy-naïve metastatic AIPC were randomly assigned to receive either docetaxel 30 mg/m2 intravenously every week for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by a 1-week rest period (n = 25); or docetaxel at the same dose and schedule, plus thalidomide 200 mg orally each day (n = 50). Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) consensus criteria and radiographic scans were used to determine the proportion of patients with a PSA decline, and time to progression. Results After a median potential follow-up time of 26.4 months, the proportion of patients with a greater than 50% decline in PSA was higher in the docetaxel/thalidomide group (53% in the combined group, 37% in docetaxel-alone arm). The median progression-free survival in the docetaxel group was 3.7 months and 5.9 months in the combined group (P = .32). At 18 months, overall survival in the docetaxel group was 42.9% and 68.2% in the combined group. Toxicities in both groups were manageable after administration of prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin in the combination group. Conclusion In this randomized phase II trial, the addition of thalidomide to docetaxel resulted in an encouraging PSA decline rate and overall median survival rate in patients with metastatic AIPC. After the prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin was instituted to prevent venous thromboses, the combination regimen was well tolerated. Larger randomized trials are warranted to assess the impact of this combination.


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