Herbert C. Flessa

Placental transport of heparin

Abstract Studies on guinea pigs indicated that heparin does not cross the placenta. Subsequently, 7 pregnant women were given heparin before delivery. The anticoagulant effect of heparin was observed in all maternal blood samples obtained at delivery. No anticoagulant effect was noted in samples from their infants. It is concluded that the fetus is safe from the anticoagulant effect of heparin.

Thromboembolic disorders in pregnancy: pathophysiology diagnosis and treatment with emphasis on heparin.

Newer concepts of blood coagulation and the pathophysiology of phlebitis and pulmonary emboli with particular reference to pregnancy are examined. New as well as established diagnostic procedures are considered. The historical development, pharmacologic effects, and clinical indications for oral anticoagulants and heparin are reviewed. Finally our own data are presented regarding 19 patients with thromboembolic disorders occurring during pregnancy who were tested with heparin as the sole anticoagulant. Because of the favorable outcome, with excellent fetal salvage, we make a plea for the use of heparin as the anticoagulant of choice during pregnancy.

Control of hemorrhage in von Willebrand's disease and a hemophiliac carrier with norethynodrel-mestranol☆

Abstract A combination of norethynodrel-mestranol (Enovid) has been used for the treatment of von Willebrands disease (V.W.D.), hemophiliacs, and a female carrier of hemophilia with low levels of Factor VIII. This therapy of V.W.D. was successful in 5 females; no response was observed in the single male with V.W.D. The female carrier of hemophilia showed increases in Factor VIII levels with therapy whereas no improvement was noted in two hemophiliacs, one severe (