Management of heparin allergy in pregnancy

Am J Hematol. 2001 Aug;67(4):268-9. doi: 10.1002/ajh.1129.

Abstract

Thromboembolic disease during pregnancy has traditionally been treated with heparin. If heparin cannot be used, then treatment options remain limited. Despite the recent availability of new anticoagulation agents, data relating to their use during pregnancy is lacking. Hirudin, a relatively new anti-thrombotic agent, through animal models has been shown to have a very low transplacental transfer, thus making it a candidate drug to be used during pregnancy in case of heparin allergy. This report describes a case of heparin allergy in a pregnant patient with recurrent DVT that was successfully managed with hirudin and coumadin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Contraindications
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / etiology*
  • Female
  • Heparin / adverse effects*
  • Heparin / immunology
  • Hirudins / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / drug therapy*
  • Venous Thrombosis / drug therapy
  • Venous Thrombosis / prevention & control
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Hirudins
  • Warfarin
  • Heparin