The acute management of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy

Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Dec;13(6):569-75. doi: 10.1097/00001703-200112000-00004.

Abstract

Pulmonary thromboembolism is the leading cause of maternal death in the UK. Optimal management of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism requires an appreciation of risk factors, particularly thrombophilia, and signs or symptoms suggestive of venous thromboembolism, along with objective diagnosis and treatment with anticoagulants. Low molecular weight heparins are now replacing unfractionated heparin for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism in pregnancy because of the lower risk of side effects, ease of administration and reduced need for monitoring.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage*
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Cesarean Section
  • Female
  • Heparin / administration & dosage*
  • Heparin / therapeutic use
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Labor, Obstetric / drug effects*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Venous Thrombosis / complications
  • Venous Thrombosis / drug therapy*
  • Venous Thrombosis / physiopathology

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • Heparin