Groom et al.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2016) 16:367

DOI 10.1186/s12884-016-1162-y

STUDY PROTOCOL Open Access

Enoxaparin for the prevention of

preeclampsia and intrauterine growth
restriction in women with a prior history –
an open-label randomised trial (the EPPI
trial): study protocol
K. M. Groom1,2*, L. M. McCowan1,2, P. R. Stone1, L. C. Chamley1, C. McLintock2 and the EPPI trial Study Group

Abstract
Background: Preeclampsia and intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR) are two of the most common causes
of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Current methods of predicting those at most risk of these
conditions remain relatively poor, and in clinical practice past obstetric history remains the most commonly used
tool. Aspirin and, in women at risk of preeclampsia only, calcium have been demonstrated to have a modest effect
on risk reduction. Several observational studies and randomised trials suggest that low molecular weight heparin
(LMWH) therapy may confer some benefit.
Methods/design: This is a multicentre open label randomised controlled trial to determine the effect of the
LMWH, enoxaparin, on the prevention of recurrence of preeclampsia and/or IUGR in women at high risk due to
their past obstetric history in addition to standard high risk care for all participants.
Inclusion criteria: A singleton pregnancy >6+0 and <16+0 weeks gestation with most recent prior pregnancy with
duration >12 weeks having; (1) preeclampsia delivered <36+0 weeks, (2) Small for gestational age (SGA) infant <10th
customised birthweight centile delivered <36+0 weeks or, (3) SGA infant ≤3rd customised birthweight centile
delivered at any gestation. Randomisation is stratified for maternal thrombophilia status and women are randomly
assigned to ‘standard high risk care’ or ‘standard high risk care’ plus enoxaparin 40 mg from recruitment until 36+0
weeks or delivery, whichever occurs sooner. Standard high risk care includes the use of aspirin 100 mg daily and
calcium 1000–1500 mg daily (unless only had previous SGA with no preeclampsia).
The primary outcome is preeclampsia and/or SGA <5th customised birthweight centile. Analysis will be by intention
to treat.
Discussion: The EPPI trial has more focussed and clinically relevant inclusion criteria than other randomised trials
with a more restricted composite primary outcome. The inclusion of standard use of aspirin (and calcium) for all
participants will help to ensure that any differences observed in outcome are likely to be related to enoxaparin use.
These data will make a significant contribution to future meta-analyses and systematic reviews on the use of LMWH
for the prevention of placental mediated conditions.
(Continued on next page)

* Correspondence: k.groom@auckland.ac.nz
1
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical Health
Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
2
National Women’s Health, Auckland City Hospital, Private Bag 92024,
Auckland, New Zealand

© The Author(s). 2016 Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to
the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver
(http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
Groom et al. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2016) 16:367 Page 2 of 7

(Continued from previous page)

Trial registration: ACTRN12609000699268 Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Date registered 13/Aug/2009
(prospective registration).
Keywords: Preeclampsia, Intrauterine growth restriction, Fetal growth restriction, IUGR, Small for gestational
age, Enoxaparin, Low molecular weight heparin, Randomised trial

Background only), a fetal syndrome (IUGR only) or a combined clinical

Preeclampsia and intrauterine fetal growth restriction syndrome (preeclampsia and IUGR) depending on fetal
(IUGR) are two of the most common causes of maternal and maternal responses to the pathological process. The
and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia synergies in the pathological mechanisms have led many
complicates approximately 3–5% of pregnancies and re- investigators to research common therapeutic and pre-
mains one of the most common causes of direct mater- ventative strategies for both diseases. Aspirin and calcium
nal death in the developed world [1]. IUGR is more have been trialled in a large number of randomised studies
difficult to define and measure but approximately 10% of in a variety of populations and although effect sizes are
all infants will be born small for gestational (SGA) de- modest both significantly reduce the incidence of pre-
fined as birthweight < 10th customised birthweight cen- eclampsia [23], and aspirin also decreases the incidence of
tile and at least two thirds of these have evidence of SGA [24]. They should be considered as standard practice
abnormal uterine and umbilical Doppler waveforms if in women at high risk of these conditions [25].
diagnosed prior to birth suggesting significant utero- Heparin and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)
placental disease and fetal growth restriction [2]. Infants have also been proposed as potential preventative ther-
who are born growth restricted with or without maternal apies for a number of placental mediated pregnancy
preeclampsia are at increased risk of morbidity and mor- complications including preeclampsia and IUGR. Their
tality during the perinatal period [3–5], and this risk effect may relate to their anticoagulant effect although it
continues into childhood and adult life with higher rates is also likely that additional effects on trophoblast devel-
of neurosensory disability, cognitive impairment, short opment may be more significant [26–28]. Initial interest
stature, hypertension, diabetes and long term cardiovas- in the use of heparin for the prevention of placental
cular disease [6–11]. Women with preeclampsia and/or mediated complications centred on the treatment of re-
IUGR fetuses are more likely to require preterm delivery, current miscarriage associated with anti-phospholipid
with over one third of women with preeclampsia and syndrome (APS). Early studies demonstrated significant
15% of SGA infants delivering <37 weeks [12]. Iatrogenic benefit of unfractionated heparin with aspirin when
preterm birth often results in operative delivery and compared to aspirin alone [29, 30]. This led many clini-
therefore has inherent risks to the mother and results in cians to routinely treat these women with LMWH for all
the significant additional risks of prematurity for an pregnancy complications associated with APS and this
already compromised infant [3, 13–15]. practice has continued despite subsequent studies failing
There are a wide variety of identified risk factors for to demonstrate the same improvements in pregnancy
preeclampsia and/or IUGR but few contribute signifi- outcomes with LMWH and aspirin [31, 32].
cantly to risk prediction models which at best remain Some clinicians extended their use of heparin and
modest [16, 17]. Until relatively recently it has been sug- LMWH for the prevention of preeclampsia and IUGR to
gested that inherited thrombophilias are associated with women regarded at high risk of these complications for
preeclampsia and IUGR, however, more recent evidence other reasons, such as those with renal disease [33],
from prospective cohort studies suggests this associ- women with ACE DD polymorphism [34] and women
ation, if present, is only weak [18]. Past obstetric history with inherited thrombophilia [35, 36]. These small ob-
is the most commonly used method for risk assessment servational and non-placebo controlled trials suggested
in current clinical practice. Women who have had significant benefits associated with heparin and LMWH.
previous preeclampsia and/or IUGR are at significant Subsequently a number of randomised controlled trials
risk of recurrence especially when the disease oc- have been reported. Initial trials focussed specifically on
curred early in the previous pregnancy with rates ran- populations with or without thrombophilia, believing
ging from 15 to 47% depending on the severity of that the risk of these placental diseases may be signifi-
previous disease [19–22]. cantly different between the groups and may respond
Both conditions are considered placental diseases and differently to intervention with heparin or LMWH. In
there are likely synergies in pathological mechanisms 2009, Rey et al. reported the outcomes of a randomised
which may present as a maternal syndrome (preeclampsia trial of LMWH in women with a past history of
Groom et al. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2016) 16:367 Page 3 of 7

placental mediated problems (including preeclampsia Study setting

and IUGR) and no thrombophilia. This trial demon- The trial will recruit women from high risk clinic settings
strated a large reduction in the primary composite out- in New Zealand at National Women’s Health, Auckland
come (severe preeclampsia, birthweight <5th centile, City Hospital; in Australia at the Royal Women’s Hospital,
major abruption or fetal death after 20 weeks) 5.5 vs Melbourne, the Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne
23.6% adjOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03–0.70 [37]. However the and the Sunshine Hospital, Melbourne; and in the
study was halted after just over one third of the planned Netherlands at the Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam.
participants had been recruited (results of 110 partici-
pants analysed of a planned sample size of 276 women). Inclusion criteria
The FRUIT-RCT reported similar promising outcomes Women are eligible for the trial if they are >6+0 and <16+0
associated with LMWH use for women with inherited weeks gestation with fetal viability and a singleton preg-
thrombophilia, demonstrating a significant reduction in nancy confirmed on ultrasound scan and at risk of pre-
the recurrence of hypertensive disease (preeclampsia, eclampsia and/or IUGR based on their past obstetric
HELLP syndrome and/or eclampsia) <34 weeks gesta- history. This is defined by (1) previous preeclampsia de-
tion, 8.7 vs 0% risk difference 8.7, 95% CI 1.9–15.5%) livered <36+0 weeks in their last on-going pregnancy
[38]. This study also did not complete recruitment of reaching >12 weeks, (2) previous SGA < 10th custo-
initial planned sample size (139 of 262). mised birthweight centile delivered <36+0 weeks in their
Subsequent published trials including the ‘Heparin in last ongoing pregnancy reaching >12 weeks with no
pregnant women with adverse pregnancy outcome to im- major fetal anomaly or, (3) previous SGA ≤ 3rd custo-
prove rate of successful pregnancy’ (HAPPY) Study [39], mised birthweight centile delivered at any gestation in
the ‘Prevention of maternal and perinatal complications their last on-going pregnancy reaching >12 weeks with
by enoxaparin in women with previous severe preeclamp- no major fetal anomaly.
sia’ (HEPEPE) Study [40] and the ‘Thrombophilia in Preg-
nancy Prophylaxis Study’ (TIPPS Study) [41] have failed to Exclusion criteria
demonstrate any improvement in outcome with LMWH. Women are not eligible for the trial if they have (1) any
All of these trials have had prolonged recruitment contraindication to LMWH use, (2) a requirement for
phases (up to 12 years [41]) and have been difficult to LMWH use such as previous thrombosis, APS, (3) previ-
recruit to. Several trials have stopped early due to re- ous successful pregnancy with LMWH treatment, (4)
cruitment difficulties and for perceived overwhelming ef- multiple pregnancy, (5) known pre-existing type 1 or 2
fect [37] or futility after interim data analysis [39]. Of diabetes or renal disease (with serum creatinine >150),
note, these previous randomised controlled trials have (6) thrombocytopenia (platelet count <80 × 109/L) prior
had broad inclusion criteria and diverse composite out- to randomisation or (7) a known major fetal anomaly/
come measures. chromosomal abnormality.
The EPPI trial aims to be more precise, and clinically
relevant, with its inclusion criteria and primary outcome Trial entry and informed consent
measures specific to women at high risk of preeclampsia All eligible women will be invited to participate in the
and/or IUGR. Account will be made of each participant’s study. Trial information will be provided verbally and by
thrombophilia status but this will not define the study a written information sheet by clinicians caring for
population. Standard high risk care will include the women and research midwives. Eligible women will be
use of aspirin and, where appropriate, calcium for all encouraged to take time to consider involvement in the
women. This is the first trial in this setting to also in- study and to discuss participation with their partners
clude serial assessment of placental and angiogenic and/or family prior to providing written consent. For
growth factors. women who decline to participate in the trial, antenatal
care relevant to their risk factors will be offered, the use
Methods/design of LMWH will not be offered as part of standard care.
Aim All trial participants will be free to withdraw from the
To assess the effectiveness of LMWH, enoxaparin 40 mg study at any time if they so wish, appropriate on-going
daily, for the prevention of recurrence of preeclampsia antenatal care will be arranged according to clinical risk.
and IUGR regardless of thrombophilia status and in
addition to standard high risk antenatal care (including Randomisation
the use of aspirin and, where appropriate calcium). A computer generated randomisation programme will
be used with stratification for recruiting site and inher-
Study design ited thrombophilia status to ensure equal distribution
A multicentre open label randomised controlled trial. across study groups. Women who have been tested prior
Groom et al. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2016) 16:367 Page 4 of 7

to trial involvement will be assigned to (i) positive

thrombophilia or (ii) negative thrombophilia. For women
not tested or partially tested (with negative result), sam-
ples will be taken before any use of LMWH and tested for
antithrombin deficiency, protein C deficiency, protein S
deficiency, factor V Leiden, and the prothrombin gene
mutation. Results will not be revealed to participant, clini-
cians or investigators until the study is completed. These
women will be assigned to (iii) unknown thrombophilia
status. Randomisation will be in blocks of five.
All participants will be assigned a sequential study
identifying number (ID) according to thrombophilia sta-
tus. At the lead recruiting site (National Women’s
Health, Auckland City Hospital) randomisation will
occur by telephone to the hospital pharmacy clinical tri-
als service and study group allocation made by study ID.
In all other sites sequential sealed opaque envelopes for
each study ID will be opened to reveal study group.

Study groups
Women will be assigned to one of two groups; Group
one will receive ‘standard high risk care’ and Group two
will receive ‘standard high risk care’ and enoxaparin
40 mg sc (Clexane®, Sanofi-Aventis) [42] daily from re-
cruitment (at gestational age >6+0 and <16+0 weeks)
until 36+0 weeks or delivery, whichever occurs sooner.
Standard high risk care is defined as care co-ordinated
by a high risk antenatal clinic service, aspirin 100 mg Fig. 1 Individual participant trial schedule
daily until 36+0 weeks and calcium 1000–1500 mg daily
until 36+0 weeks (unless only had previous SGA with no
preeclampsia as eligibility criteria). This is an open-label whichever is later), episode of threatened preterm labour
randomised study and all participants, clinicians and (treatment can be recommenced if symptoms settle), clin-
investigators will be aware of study group assignment. ical evidence of placental abruption or thrombocytopenia
with platelet count <80 × 109/L.
Obstetric care and trial procedure (Fig. 1) Antenatal, intra-partum and postnatal care will be pro-
All women will have serum samples taken at recruit- vided by the local obstetric team caring for each woman.
ment, 20 and 30 weeks gestation. Samples will be centri- Pregnancy, labour, postnatal and neonatal data will be
fuged and stored in −80 °C freezer for later assessment collected by research staff from maternal and infant
of placental and angiogenic growth factors (Table 1). At clinical records up to the time of hospital discharge.
the time of fetal anatomy scan, standard fetal growth
parameters [43, 44] and uterine and umbilical arterial Study outcomes
Doppler waveforms [45] will be recorded. These ultra- The primary outcome is the incidence of preeclampsia
sound measurements will be repeated at 24 weeks’ gesta- and/or small for gestational age (SGA) <5th customised
tion. Data from any additional antenatal ultrasound scans birthweight centile [46]. Preeclampsia will be defined as
will also be collected. new onset hypertension (systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and/or
For women receiving LMWH, an educational session diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg) arising after 20 weeks gestation
regarding injection technique will be provided by a re- with evidence of significant proteinuria (dipstick protein-
search midwife prior to treatment commencement. uria (≥1+) subsequently confirmed by spot urine pro-
LMWH injections will be re-supplied on a monthly basis tein/creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/mmol and/or 24 h urine
from hospital pharmacies. Treatment will continue until protein excretion >0.3 g) or any multi-system complica-
36+0 weeks but additional safety indications to stop tion including haematological, liver, renal and neuro-
treatment sooner include; need for delivery prior to 36+0 logical involvement [47]. IUGR is difficult to define and
weeks (stop once decision made for delivery or 12 h measure and so SGA defined by customised birthweight
prior to induction of labour or elective caesarean section, centiles will be used as the most reproducible surrogate.
Groom et al. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2016) 16:367 Page 5 of 7

Table 1 EPPI trial key secondary study outcomes a difference between 25 and 4%. The DMC will report to
Combined Preeclampsia and/or SGA <10th centile the trial investigator group and may advise discontinu-
Preeclampsia and/or SGA <10th centile ation of the trial if there is an excess of serious adverse
delivered <35+6 weeks
Preeclampsia and/or SGA <10th centile events in the LMWH treatment group or if a significant
delivered <33+6 weeks benefit is already demonstrated. Results of the interim
Preeclampsia and SGA <10th centile analysis will only be known to members of the DMC
delivered at any gestation
and the trial investigator group. Responsibility for early
Maternal Preeclampsia discontinuation of the trial will ultimately rest with the
Severe preeclampsia
Placental abruption trial investigator group.
Caesarean section delivery
Antepartum haemorrhage Data analysis
Postpartum haemorrhage <500mls
and <1000mls All data will be collected and stored under de-identified
Infant SGA <10th centile
study ID. Data will be analysed by an independent statis-
SGA <5th centile tician. Population characteristics between the groups will
SGA <3rd centile be compared initially to identify any potential confound-
Unexplained intrauterine fetal death
Stillbirth
ing variables. Data will be analysed on an intention to
Gestational age at delivery treat basis comparing primary and secondary outcomes
Mean birthweight in both groups. Analyses will make adjustment for
Mean birthweight centile
recruiting site and thrombophilia status. P-value <0.05
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission
Neonatal death will be considered significant.
Uteroplacental Abnormal uterine artery Doppler
waveform at 20 or 24 weeks Discussion
Abnormal umbilical artery Doppler This is a protocol for a randomised trial to assess the
waveform at 20 or 24 weeks
role of the LMWH, enoxaparin, to prevent recurrence of
Placental & angiogenic growth soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) preeclampsia and IUGR in women at high risk based on
factors soluble endoglin (soluble Eng)
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) their past obstetric history. The EPPI trial has been de-
Placental growth factor (PLGF) signed to focus specifically on the related conditions of
soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule preeclampsia and IUGR. The inclusion criteria aim to
1 (VCAM1)
identify women with or without thrombophilia but do
SGA small for gestational age, all SGA measured by customised birthweight
centile [46]
not include less specific or poorly defined conditions
such as past venous thromboembolism, recurrent mis-
carriage, unexplained fetal death and placental abruption
Customised centiles adjusting for infant sex, gestation at as seen in some other trials of heparin therapy for the
delivery and maternal variables—parity, ethnicity, height prevention of preeclampsia and IUGR. The pathological
and weight will be used [46]. The key secondary study mechanisms of such a wide variety of conditions are
outcomes are shown in Table 1. likely to be significantly different from those of pre-
eclampsia and IUGR and a single preventative therapy
Sample size less likely to be effective for all. Similarly the composite
We have estimated a risk of recurrence of preeclampsia primary outcome measure for this study has been lim-
and/or SGA < 5th customised centile for the included ited to preeclampsia and a measure of IUGR (SGA) so
population of 25% when managed routinely with aspirin results are more likely to be relevant to these placental
(and calcium). A trial of 160 participants, allowing for a mediated conditions.
5% drop-out/early miscarriage rate will have 80% power Another strength of this study is that both treatment
at a two-sided significance level of 0.05 to detect a differ- arms will receive standard high risk care including the
ence between 25 and 7% [37]. use of aspirin in all women and, for those with previous
history of preeclampsia, the use of calcium. Any differ-
Data monitoring committee (DMC) and interim analysis ences observed in outcome are likely to be related to
An independent DMC comprising of a statistician, ob- enoxaparin use.
stetrician, and obstetric physician with clinical trials ex- This study will include 160 women and is one of the
perience will review serious adverse events. They will larger studies in this area. The findings of this trial will
review the results of an interim analysis once 98 partici- be available for future meta-analysis and systematic re-
pants have been recruited and completed pregnancy. A views. It will significantly contribute to and further
study group of 49 participants in each arm will have 80% current knowledge regarding the use enoxaparin in preg-
power at a two-sided significance level of 0.05 to detect nancy to reduce recurrence of preeclampsia and IUGR.
Groom et al. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2016) 16:367 Page 6 of 7

Acknowledgements growth in single births: European collaborative study. Lancet. 2003;

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