Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a condition that affects the immune system. Possible complications of APS include growth restriction of the fetus, thrombosis and preeclampsia. Testing for lupus anticoagulant is the primary indicatory of potential adverse outcome during pregnancy. Heparin is currently used to help prevent pregnancy complications, but researchers from the Weill-Cornell Medical College are not sold on heparin’s efficacy, according to a piece published in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology.
Michael D. Lockshin, the author of the study, notes newer treatments/therapies are under investigation, but have only reached the animal study stages. There is no clear path to future clinical or human studies. Doctors hope future treatments can help reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and improve quality of life during pregnancy. There is no mention of specifics regarding current clinical studies, drugs or trials. According to ClinicalTrials.gov, current studies on Antiphospholipid syndrome are currently underway for the drug fluvastatin, anti-coagulant therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Lockshin MD. Pregnancy and Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2012 Dec 28. doi: 10.1111/aji.12071.