Aspirin Desensitization: Implications for Acetylsalicylic Acid-Sensitive Pregnant Women

Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Apr 17;57(4):390. doi: 10.3390/medicina57040390.

Abstract

Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is widely used during pregnancy to prevent obstetric complications of placental dysfunction, such as preeclampsia, stillbirth and fetal growth restriction, and obstetric complications in pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome. ASA-sensitive pregnant women cannot benefit from the effects of ASA due to the possibility of severe or potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions to ASA. ASA desensitization is a valuable and safe therapeutic option for these women, allowing them to start daily prophylaxis with ASA and prevent pregnancy complications. The authors discuss the recent advances in obstetric conditions preventable by ASA and the management of ASA hypersensitivity in pregnancy, including ASA desensitization. To encourage the implementation of ASA desensitization protocols in ASA-sensitive pregnant women, they also propose a practical approach for use in daily clinical practice.

Keywords: Aspirin; Aspirin desensitization; antiphospholipid syndrome; fetal growth restriction; preeclampsia; pregnancy.

MeSH terms

  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome* / complications
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome* / drug therapy
  • Aspirin / adverse effects
  • Desensitization, Immunologic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pre-Eclampsia* / drug therapy
  • Pre-Eclampsia* / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnant Women

Substances

  • Aspirin