| Abstract: | Venous thromboembolism remains a common cause of direct maternal deaths in high-income settings such as the United Kingdom. Pregnancy alone increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus at least five-fold, and many women develop or have additional risk factors for venous thrombosis during pregnancy and the puerperium, the latter representing the period of highest risk. Early and repeated risk stratification and adequate thromboprophylaxis, usually with low molecular weight heparin, is the key to preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Women with a past history of VTE, and those affected by thrombophilia, require multidisciplinary care involving an obstetric haematologist. Women suspected of having acute thromboembolism should be commenced on empirical treatment promptly prior to diagnostic confirmation. Pulmonary embolism should be considered as a differential diagnosis in maternal collapse. |
