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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Heparin and maternal fetal interface: why should it work to prevent pregnancy complications?
Nazli Hossain1, Frederick Schatz, Michael J Paidas
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Unit 3, Civil Hospital & Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. Nazli.hossain@duhs.edu.pk
Abstract:
Anticoagulant therapy has been used extensively for the prevention of recurrent pregnancy losses, and other placenta mediated complications, including prevention of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. While heparin anticoagulation is a standard treatment for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, it is increasingly being used in the prevention of placenta mediated complications. In this article, we explore the role of heparin at maternal-fetal interface, the molecular mechanism of action for heparin, and ongoing basic and translational work being done to elucidate heparin's principal mechanisms of action.
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