Intravascular coagulation in pregnancy--treatment with heparin

Two pregnant women with a history of miscarriages or premature labour are described. In the 25-27th week of pregnancy routine examinations showed high levels of FDP in serum. Subsequent extensive coaggulation studies revealed a positive ethanol gelation test, low levels of firbrinogen, plasminogen, alpha2-macroglobulin and P&P and high level of AHF related protein for the stage of pregnancy, i.e. finding indicating abnormal proteolysis with activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic system. Continuous intravenous heparin treatment caused the coagulation system to return to normal throughout the rest of pregnancy. Both women gave birth to healthy babies without any complications. But the placenta showed numerous infarcts. The heparin treatment may have prevented later developing of placental dysfunction.