Obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome.
Review published in Medicina clinica (2024)
Abstract
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is the most frequent acquired thrombophilia of autoimmune basis. Pregnancy complications of APS may include recurrent miscarriage, and placental dysfunction presenting as fetal death, prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia. For the management of obstetric APS, a coordinated medical-obstetric management is essential, and this should start for a preconceptional visit in order to estimate the individual risk for complications, adjust therapies and establish the indications for preconceptional and first-trimester therapy. The basis of APS therapy during pregnancy is low-dose aspirin, combined in certain clinical scenarios with low-molecular weight heparin. Induction of delivery should not be routinely indicated in the absence of maternal and/or fetal complications. Postpartum management should be warranted.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is the most frequent acquired thrombophilia of autoimmune basis. Pregnancy complications of APS may include recurrent miscarriage, and placental dysfunction presenting as fetal death, prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This review addresses obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome management, emphasizing coordinated medical-obstetric care starting preconception, with low-dose aspirin combined with low-molecular-weight heparin in certain scenarios. It is relevant to ASH's domain only broadly through its discussion of anticoagulation therapy—hirudin and related agents share the broader anticoagulant therapeutic landscape. The abstract contains no mention of leeches, hirudotherapy, or hirudin-derived agents. Its relevance to hirudotherapy is indirect and limited to the general anticoagulation context.
Citation
Added to ASH library: May 28, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026