Pregnancy increases the risk of venous thromboembolism by approximately 10-fold (incidence 1 in 1000), with low molecular weight heparin recommended as the mainstay of treatment for at least 3 months.
This review highlights that VTE is 10 times more common in pregnancy and recommends LMWH as the mainstay of treatment for a minimum of 3 months and until 6 weeks postnatal.
KEY POINTS: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy remains a leading cause of direct maternal mortality in the developed world and identifiable risk factors are increasing in incidence.VTE is approximately 10-times more common in the pregnant population (compared with non-pregnant women) with an incidence of 1 in 1000 and the highest risk in the postnatal period.If pulmonary imaging is required, ventilation perfusion scanning is usually the preferred initial test to detect pulmonary embolism within pregnancy. Treatment should be commenced on clinical suspicion and not be withheld until an objective diagnosis is obtained.The mainstay of treatment for pulmonary thromboembolism in pregnancy is anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin for a minimum of 3 months in total duration and until at least 6 weeks postnatal. Low molecular weight heparin is safe, effective and has a low associated bleeding risk. EDUCATIONAL AIMS: To inform readers about the current guidance for diagnosis and management of pulmonary thromboembolism in pregnancy.To highlight the risks of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy.To introduce the issues surrounding management of pulmonary thromboembolism around labour and delivery.
Simcox et al. (Tue,) conducted a review in Pulmonary thromboembolism in pregnancy. Low molecular weight heparin was evaluated. Pregnancy increases the risk of venous thromboembolism by approximately 10-fold (incidence 1 in 1000), with low molecular weight heparin recommended as the mainstay of treatment for at least 3 months.