Low-molecular-weight heparin for women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss: a multicenter trial with a...

A daily injection of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is often prescribed to women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), although evidence suggesting a benefit is questionable.

To determine whether LMWH increases ongoing pregnancy and live-birth rates in women with unexplained RPL.

Controlled, multicenter trial with randomization using minimization conducted from 2006 to 2013. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00400387).

14 university hospitals and perinatal care centers in Germany and Austria.

449 women with at least 2 consecutive early miscarriages or 1 late miscarriage were included during 5 to 8 weeks' gestation after a viable pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonography.

Women in the control group received multivitamin pills, and the intervention group received vitamins and 5000 IU of dalteparin-sodium for up to 24 weeks' gestation.

Primary outcome was ongoing pregnancy at 24 weeks' gestation. Secondary outcomes included the live-birth rate and late pregnancy complications.

At 24 weeks' gestation, 191 of 220 pregnancies (86.8%) and 188 of 214 pregnancies (87.9%) were intact in the intervention and control groups, respectively (absolute difference, -1.1 percentage points [95% CI, -7.4 to 5.3 percentage points]). The live-birth rates were 86.0% (185 of 215 women) and 86.7% (183 of 211 women) in the intervention and control groups, respectively (absolute difference, -0.7 percentage point [CI, -7.3 to 5.9 percentage points]). There were 3 intrauterine fetal deaths (1 woman had used LMWH); 9 cases of preeclampsia or the hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme level, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome (3 women had used LMWH); and 11 cases of intrauterine growth restriction or placental insufficiency (5 women had used LMWH).

Placebo injections were not used, and neither trial staff nor patients were blinded.

Daily LMWH injections do not increase ongoing pregnancy or live-birth rates in women with unexplained RPL. Given the burden of the injections, they are not recommended for preventing miscarriage.

Pfizer Pharma.