Use of two Greenfield caval filters to prevent recurrent pulmonary embolism in a heparin-allergic gravida.
BACKGROUND
Maternal mortality may be reduced by prompt diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism.


METHODS
A 25-year-old pregnant woman required a second Greenfield filter after developing a heparin allergy and recurrent pulmonary embolism.


CONCLUSIONS
Heparin allergy has not been reported previously in pregnancy. A Greenfield filter may be used in this circumstance. Extension of the thrombus cephalad to the filter can cause recurrent emboli, so deployment of a second caval filter may be an effective remedy.
Arbogast
J D
JD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Providence Hospital, Southfield, Michigan, USA.
Blessed
W B
WB
Lacoste
H
H
Gross
W S
WS
Gonda
R L
RL
Welch
R A
RA
D000328:Adult; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012008:Recurrence; D016306:Vena Cava Filters
D006493:Heparin