title: Pulmonary embolus in pregnancy.
abstract: Venous thromboembolism remains in the top three leading causes of maternal death in the US, representing 10.2% of pregnancy-related deaths. Risk of developing a pulmonary embolus appears to increase throughout pregnancy, with a peak in incidence in the early postpartum period. Overall the incidence of VTE is 0.6-1.8 VTEs per 1000 deliveries. Diagnosis and management of pulmonary embolus can prove challenging, but the aim should be to optimize maternal outcome while minimizing hemorrhagic complications. Low-molecular-weight heparin is a safe and effective treatment for the majority of cases of pregnancy-related pulmonary embolus.
authors.affiliation: Department of OB/GYN, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th St, PH 12-32, New York, NY 10032, USA. jenniferdonnelly@mac.com
authors.forename: Jennifer C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: D'Alton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008423:Maternal Age; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000150:complications; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: Antocoagulation; Low molecular weight heparin; Venous thromboembolism