PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM IN HIGH RISK SITUATIONS IN PREGNANCY

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANNE G McLEOD ◽  
CAMERON ELLIS

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of maternal mortality in the western developed world. VTE may present as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) but if untreated can result in fatal PE. Although fatal PE is clearly the most significant consequence of VTE in pregnancy, DVT also often leads to morbidity related to the development of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Pregnancy is an independent risk factor for VTE and the risk of VTE is 4–10 fold higher in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women of similar age. The puerperium represents a time of even higher risk. It is clear that many additional high-risk situations in pregnancy lower the threshold for thrombosis and warrant measures to prevent VTE and its complications. Risk factors for pregnancy-related VTE may be inherited or acquired. Acquired risk factors may be specifically related to the pregnancy or may have developed prior to pregnancy. Well-documented risk factors for pregnancy-related VTE include delivery by Caesarean section, previous VTE, and inherited or acquired thrombophilia. Other risk factors that have been identified include obesity, multiparity, multiple gestation, pre-eclampsia and medical conditions, such as sickle cell disease, that predispose to VTE. Our ability to diagnose VTE overall is poor as presenting signs and symptoms are extremely varied and unreliable. This is further complicated in pregnancy where signs and symptoms suggestive of VTE are common and invasive testing is more complicated. It is essential that physicians be vigilant in monitoring patients for the development of VTE and maintain a low threshold for considering thromboprophylaxis. Guidelines have recently been published by several medical societies to help with these difficult decisions. In this review the risk factors for the development of VTE in pregnancy will be discussed and guidelines for risk assessment presented. Management of patients who develop VTE in pregnancy is also outlined.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Z. Goldhaber

Venous thromboembolism, which involves venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and is being seen with increasing frequency in outpatients. This chapter discusses the risk factors, etiology, classification, pathophysiology, natural history, prognosis, diagnosis (including venous thrombosis, recurrent venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism), prophylaxis, and treatment of venous thromboembolism (including the pharmacology of antithrombotic agents), as well as venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and miscellaneous thromboembolic disorders (including thrombosis of unusual sites).  This review contains 8 figures, 16 tables, and 79 references. Keywords: Venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, embolectomy, thrombolysis, hypercoagulability, duplex ultrasonography, D-dimer, anticoagulation


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Z. Goldhaber

Venous thromboembolism, which involves venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and is being seen with increasing frequency in outpatients. This chapter discusses the risk factors, etiology, classification, pathophysiology, natural history, prognosis, diagnosis (including venous thrombosis, recurrent venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism), prophylaxis, and treatment of venous thromboembolism (including the pharmacology of antithrombotic agents), as well as venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and miscellaneous thromboembolic disorders (including thrombosis of unusual sites).  This review contains 8 figures, 16 tables, and 79 references. Keywords: Venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, embolectomy, thrombolysis, hypercoagulability, duplex ultrasonography, D-dimer, anticoagulation


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Z. Goldhaber

Venous thromboembolism, which involves venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and is being seen with increasing frequency in outpatients. This chapter discusses the risk factors, etiology, classification, pathophysiology, natural history, prognosis, diagnosis (including venous thrombosis, recurrent venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism), prophylaxis, and treatment of venous thromboembolism (including the pharmacology of antithrombotic agents), as well as venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and miscellaneous thromboembolic disorders (including thrombosis of unusual sites).  This review contains 8 figures, 16 tables, and 79 references. Keywords: Venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, embolectomy, thrombolysis, hypercoagulability, duplex ultrasonography, D-dimer, anticoagulation


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalini Jain Bagaria ◽  
V. B. Bagaria

Pregnancy and the postpartum period have an increased incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The condition is unique during this period for several reasons. Primarily, because there is complexity in diagnosing this condition in view of altered physiology and preexisting edema in pregnancy and also because there are restrictions on the use of certain drugs and a need for vigilant monitoring of anticoagulant activities of drugs during the period. The problem is compounded and assumes the highest order of significance since two lives are involved and all the investigations and management done should also take into account the potential adverse effects on the foetus. In order to prevent the development of VTE during pregnancy, sound clinical evaluation for risk factors, risk stratification, and optimal use of resource both mechanical and pharmacological is necessary. This paper details strategies in preventing development of deep vein thrombosis and treatment of VTEs.


Hematology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Rodger

Abstract Venous thromboembolism (VTE), comprising deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a leading cause of maternal mortality during pregnancy. DVT and PE are commonly suspected due to many mimicking signs and symptoms that are normal in pregnancy. However, validated diagnostic approaches are lacking, and a fear of teratogenic/oncogenic exposure from imaging procedures affects the acceptability of diagnostic approaches used for VTE during pregnancy. DVT and PE treatment in pregnancy is also challenging due to this lack of validated diagnostic approaches, changes in maternal physiology, and the need for intact hemostasis at the time of delivery/epidural analgesia. Prevention requires an optimal balancing of absolute increased bleeding risk from pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis and the absolute benefit of reduced DVT and PE, which, while serious, are relatively uncommon.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Z. Goldhaber

Venous thromboembolism, which involves venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and is being seen with increasing frequency in outpatients. This chapter discusses the risk factors, etiology, classification, pathophysiology, natural history, prognosis, diagnosis (including venous thrombosis, recurrent venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism), prophylaxis, and treatment of venous thromboembolism (including the pharmacology of antithrombotic agents), as well as venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and miscellaneous thromboembolic disorders (including thrombosis of unusual sites).  This review contains 8 figures, 16 tables, and 79 references. Keywords: Venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, embolectomy, thrombolysis, hypercoagulability, duplex ultrasonography, D-dimer, anticoagulation


2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keisuke Miyamoto ◽  
Hiroaki Komatsu ◽  
Masayo Okawa ◽  
Yuki Iida ◽  
Daiken Osaku ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Venous thromboembolism often develops after surgery and childbirth, resulting in death in some cases. Although early deep vein thrombosis (DVT) detection can predict pulmonary thromboembolism, there is no early screening method for DVT in pregnant women. Lack of consensus regarding significance or setting and cut-off value interpretation of D-dimer levels further impedes venous thromboembolism screening in pregnant women. This study aimed to examine the utility of third-trimester serum D-dimer levels as a screening test for DVT during pregnancy and to determine the frequency of asymptomatic DVT using lower-limb compression ultrasonography. Methods This single-center retrospective study included 497 pregnant women who underwent elective cesarean section at term in our hospital between January 2013 and December 2019. Serum D-dimer levels were preoperatively measured at 32–37 weeks’ gestation. The presence or absence of DVT in patients with serum D-dimer levels ≥ 3.0 µg/ml, the cut-off value, was examined using compression ultrasonography. In all patients, the presence or absence of clinical venous thrombosis (symptoms such as lower-limb pain, swelling, and heat sensation) was examined within 4 postoperative weeks. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Guideline 2015 was referred to determine risk factors for the onset of venous thrombosis during pregnancy. Among those, we examined the risk factors for DVT that result in high D-dimer levels during pregnancy. Results The median age and body mass index were 35 (20–47) years and 21.2 (16.4–41.1) kg/m2, respectively. Further, the median gestational age and D-dimer levels were 37 weeks and 2.1 (0.2–16.0) µg/ml, respectively. Compression ultrasonography was performed on 135 (26.5%) patients with a D-dimer level ≥ 3.0 µg/ml, with none of the patients showing DVT. All patients were followed up for 4 postoperative weeks, with none presenting with venous thromboembolism. Multivariate analysis showed that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism that causes high D-dimer levels (odds ratio: 2.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.05–6.50, P = 0.04). Conclusion There may be low utility in screening for DVT using D-dimer levels in the third trimester. Further, prepartum asymptomatic DVT has a low frequency, indicating the low utility of compression ultrasonography. Trial registration Institutional Review Board of Tottori University Hospital (IRB no. 20A149).


Author(s):  
Hiroaki Onishi ◽  
Kimiko Kaniyu ◽  
Mitsutoshi Iwashita ◽  
Asashi Tanaka ◽  
Takashi Watanabe

Background: Pregnancy represents a major risk factor for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Most coagulation/fibrinolysis markers currently utilized change during pregnancy, and therefore they cannot accurately evaluate thrombotic events in pregnancy because the rate of false positive results is high. Fibrin monomer complex (FMC) has recently become widely available for diagnosing DVT. The present study examined whether FMC is suitable for evaluating thrombotic status in pregnancy. Methods: Concentrations of FMC and other haemostatic markers were investigated in 87 pregnant women without major complications at early, mid- or late pregnancy. FMC concentrations were also measured in 127 normal non-pregnant women, and in one woman who developed DVT after delivery. Results: In normal pregnant women, FMC concentrations were unchanged during early or mid-pregnancy and slightly elevated during late pregnancy. Concentrations were within reference range in most cases, and none exceeded the cut-off value for DVT. In contrast, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and D-dimer (DD) concentrations were significantly elevated in late pregnancy, and median values exceeded reference ranges. The DVT case displayed significantly elevated FMC concentrations. Conclusions: Changes in FMC concentrations during normal pregnancy are minimal compared with other haemostatic markers. Because the rate of false positivity is lower, FMC could be a potential marker of thrombotic status in pregnancy rather than TAT and DD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stavrianna Diavati ◽  
Marios Sagris ◽  
Dimitrios Terentes-Printzios ◽  
Charalambos Vlachopoulos

: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), clinically presenting as deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), constitutes a major global healthcare concern with severe complications, long-term morbidity and mortality. Although several clinical, genetic and acquired risk factors for VTE have been identified, the molecular pathophysiology and mechanisms of disease progression remain poorly understood. Anticoagulation has been the cornerstone of therapy for decades, but there still are uncertainties regarding primary and secondary VTE prevention, as well as optimal therapy duration. In this review we discuss the role of factor Xa in coagulation cascade and the different choices of anticoagulation therapy based on patients’ predisposing risk factors and risk of event recurrence. Further, we compare newer agents to traditional anticoagulation treatment, based on most recent studies and guidelines.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1774-1774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Jorgensen ◽  
Jorn D. Nielsen

Abstract During pregnancy the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is approximately 6 times higher than in age-matched, non-pregnant women and venous thromboembolism remains the most common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Low-molecular-weight-heparins are recommended for treatment of VTE during pregnancy and for prophylaxis of VTE in pregnant women with major thromboembolic risk factors. We used tinzaparin for prophylaxis and treatment of VTE in 305 consecutive pregnant women referred to the Thrombosis Centre, Gentofte University Hospital, from 1997 to 2004. In 268 pregnancies the mothers had thrombophilia, 52 women were admitted with acute VTE and 184 had previous VTE. Other clinical risk factors included previous bad obstetric outcome, recurrent miscarriages, cardiac disorders or previous thromboembolic stroke. An individual risk assessment of each pregnant woman was performed. Very high risk females were treated with tinzaparin 90 – 100 IU/kg bid, high risk females were treated with tinzaparin 100 – 125 IU/kg daily and women with moderate risk were treated with 50 – 75 IU/kg daily. 302 of 305 pregnancies (99 %) in 263 females resulted in 310 healthy babies. 306 of 310 babies had appropriate birth weight for gestational week and all babies had normal Apgar score. Two females had miscarriages (week 10 and 20) and 1 female had an elective abortion. No females had pulmonary embolism. Deep venous thrombosis occurred in 4 of 305 pregnancies = 1,3 % (week 6, 11, 27 and one day postpartum). Wound hematoma was observed after cesarean section in two women and postpartum bleeding episodes (700 – 1500 ml) were observed in 7 women (4 had severe vaginal or cervical tearings, 2 had retained placenta and 1 had placental abruption). We found no incidence of thrombocytopenia or symptomatic osteoporosis. We find that individually dosed tinzaparin is safe and seems effective in the prevention of thromboembolic complications during pregnancy. Individual risk stratification is recommended.


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