title: Prevention of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy.
abstract: Pulmonary thromboembolism, rising from deep venous thrombosis (DVT), is a major cause of maternal death in the developed World. DVT is a significant source of morbidity in pregnancy and the puerperium with long-term sequelae such as post-thrombotic syndrome. The major risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) are: increasing age, particularly over 35 years; operative vaginal delivery; Caesarean section, especially emergency Caesarean section in labour; high body mass index; previous VTE, especially if idiopathic or thrombophilia-associated; thrombophilia; and a family history of thrombosis suggestive of an underlying thrombophilia. Thromboprophylaxis centres largely on the use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). LMWHs, such as enoxaparin and dalteparin, have substantial clinical and practical advantages compared with unfractionated heparin, particularly in terms of improved safety with a significantly lower incidence of heparin-induced osteoporosis and thrombocytopenia. Such agents should be used in women with significant risk factors for VTE both antenatally and post-partum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 10 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow G31 2ER, Scotland, UK. i.a.greer@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Greer
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents