Summary
The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy is 0.05-1.8%, six times greater
than in the non-pregnant state, and pulmonary embolism remains the most common cause
of maternal death. Maternal age, previous history of VTE, Caesarean section and the
presence of thrombophilia, significantly increase the risk of VTE. Acquired or hereditary
thrombophilia occur in almost two-thirds of women presenting with recurrent miscarriages,
pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, abruptio placentae, or stillbirth,
which are associated with microvascular thrombosis in placental blood vessels. Women
with VTE during pregnancy and especially those with thrombophilia require individualized
management, based on the type of defect, the family history and the presence of additional
risk factors. These factors are important in determining the dose and duration of
antithrombotic therapy during pregnancy and the puerperium, and the thromboprophylactic
strategy for future pregnancies. Oral anticoagulants are now seldom used during pregnancy
because of their significant side effects. Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) are
increasingly replacing unfractionated heparin in the prevention and treatment of VTE
during pregnancy. LMWHs have also been shown to be effective in improving the outcome
of pregnancy in women with previous obstetric complications.
Key words
Pregnancy - venous thromboembolism - thrombophilia - obstetric complications - low-molecular-weight
heparin