Low Molecular Weight Heparin and/or Aspirin in Prevention of Habitual Abortion
Low Molecular Weight Heparin and/or Aspirin in Prevention of Habitual Abortion
1 % of all pregnancies end in habitual/recurrent abortion. In about half of women with
 habitual abortions (HAB) hereditary or acquired (antiphospholipid antibodies) thrombophilia
 are observed. The investigators wanted to test whether antithrombotic treatment
 (Low-Molecular Weight Heparin, LMWH, ASA or both combined)would prevent these women from a
 subsequent abortion. Depending on thrombophilic status the women included in one of the three
 sub-studies: HABENOX 1 (mild, single thrombophilia), HABENOX 2 (no known thrombophilia),
 HABENOX 3 (moderate to severe thrombophilia, with combined thrombophilia or moderate to high
 titer antiphospholipid antibodies).

 Study design: Randomised placebo controlled multicenter study.

 Number of patients per study: 90 patients per group, 270 altogether.

 Timetable: Starting 2/2002, finishing 31.12.2007.

 Time frame: >37 weeks of gestation and >24, but <37 weeks of gestation (premature)

 Treatment started before 7. gw.

 HABENOX 1 and 2:

 Study groups:

 Group 1 : Enoxaparin 40 mg+ placebo, Group 2: Enoxaparin 40 +ASA 100 mg, Group 3: ASA.

 HABENOX 3:

 Study groups:

 Group 1: Enoxaparin 40 twice daily+ placebo o.d., Group 2: Enoxaparin 40 mg twice daily +ASA
 100 mg o.d.

 Primary end-points:

 Pregnancy outcome: livebirths ( ≥37 weeks of gestation), premature livebirths (≥24, but <37
 weeks of gestation)

 Secondary end-points: Bleeding complications, intrauterine growth retardation (<-2SD),
 pre-eclampsia, abruptio placentae,

 Ending: In the group of combined medication, tablets will be stopped at 36 weeks of
 gesta-tion. LMWH will be started in all patients after delivery and continued 6 weeks
 postpartum.
Background: The prevalence of spontaneous abortions is 1000-1500/10000 pregnancies per year
 meaning that 10-15% of all pregnancies will end in an abortion; 1/10 of these abortions are
 recurrent (1 % of all pregnancies). In about half of women with habitual abortions (HAB)
 hereditary (F V Leiden, F II (prothrombin) mutation, Protein C, S deficiency and
 anti-thrombin) or acquired (antiphospholipid antibodies) thrombophilia are observed. Efficacy
 of the medical treatment of patients with a history of HAB has yet to be completely
 demonstrated. We have recently shown that low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is as effective
 as unfractionated heparin in prevention of thromboembolic complications in pregnant women and
 causes less bleeding complications (UFH) and has no osteoporotic effect. LMWH could be safer
 than UF-heparin during long treatment periods (7-8 months).

 Study design: Randomised placebo controlled multicenter study.

 Centers: Helsinki (2), Oulu (1), Stockholm (1), Leiden (1)

 Number of patients per study: 90 patients per group, 270 altogether

 Timetable: Starting 2/2002, finishing 31.12.2007

 Drugs:

 HABENOX 1 and 2: Study groups Group 1 : Enoxaparin 40 mg+ placebo, Group 2: Enoxaparin 40
 +ASA 100 mg, Group 3: ASA.

 HABENOX 3: Study groups Group 1: Enoxaparin 40 twice daily+ placebo o.d., Group 2: Enoxaparin
 40 mg twice daily +ASA 100 mg o.d.

 Time frame: one year since entering the study with primary end-points:livebirths (> 37 weeks
 of gestation) and premature livebirths (> 24, but <37 weeks of gestation)

 Primary end-points: Pregnancy outcome: livebirths (>37 weeks of gestation), premature
 livebirths (> 24, but <37 weeks of gestation) Secondary end-points: Bleeding complications,
 intrauterine growth retardation (<-2SD), pre-eclampsia, abruptio placentae,

 Inclusion criteria: Three or more consecutive abortions of first trimester (ad h 12+6 wks) or
 two second trimester abortions (ad h 13 wks-23+6 wks) or one third trimester abortion (24
 weeks or more) with one first-second trimester abortions. Depending on the thrombophiliatest
 (tested before pregnancy) result the patients will included in one of the three sub-studies:

 1. HABENOX 1: those who have one thrombophiliatest positive: F V Leiden (heterozygote) or
 protein C or S deficiency, or anticardiolipin antibodies (low to moderate level),
 prothrombin gene mutation, or high level of F VIII.

 2. HABENOX 2: those with thrombophilia test negative

 3. HABENOX 3:those with "high risk" thrombophilia: positive combined thrombophilia, F V
 Leiden (homozygote), anticardiolipin antibodies (high level >40) , lupusanticoagulant,
 or AT III deficiency.

 During next pregnancy the patient, with inclusion criteria fulfilled, will be asked to sign
 informed consent and she will be allocated into one of the three treatment groups. The
 treatment will be started before 7 weeks of gestation. At baseline and follow-up visits
 plasma, serum and 20 ml morning urine will be frozen (analysed later for antithrombin,
 protein S, C, APC ratio, PAI1, PAI2, U-PAR, D-dimer, thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complex,
 CRP, TNFalpha(+ receptor), ICAM, VEGF(+receptor), urinary stabile metabolites of thromboxane
 and prostacyclin.

 Follow-up: US/Doppler + obstetric check-up at 8, 10, 14, 18, 24, 28, 32 and 36 weeks of
 gestation Ending: In the group of combined medication, tablets will be stopped at 36 weeks of
 gesta-tion. LMWH will be started in all patients after delivery and continued 6 weeks
 postpartum.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Habenox 1: Three or more consecutive abortions of first trimester (ad h 12+6 wks) or
 two second trimester abortions (ad h 13 wks-23+6 wks) or one third trimester abortion
 (24 weeks or more) with one first-second trimester abortions and one thrombophiliatest
 positive: F V Leiden (heterozygote) or protein C or S deficiency, or anticardiolipin
 antibodies (low to moderate level), prothrombin gene mutation, or high level of F
 VIII.

 -  HABENOX 2: The thrombophilic tests above are negative.

 -  HABENOX 3:positive combined thrombophilia, F V Leiden (homozygote), anticardiolipin
 antibodies (high level >40) , lupusanticoagulant, or AT III deficiency.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  History of DVT or pulmonary embolism.

 -  Significant bleeding history.