Guidance for the treatment and prevention of obstetric-associated venous thromboembolism

• Published in: Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 92 - 128
• Main Authors: Bates, Shannon M., Middeldorp, Saskia, Rodger, Marc, James, Andra H., Greer, Ian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.01.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cardiology; Female; Hematology; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - mortality; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular - prevention & control; Venous Thromboembolism - mortality; Venous Thromboembolism - prevention & control; Venous Thrombosis - mortality; Venous Thrombosis - prevention & control; Pregnancy; Pulmonary embolism; Anticoagulants; Prophylaxis; Deep vein thrombosis; Obstetric; Venous thromboembolism
• ISSN: 0929-5305; 1573-742X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11239-015-1309-0

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which may manifest as pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a serious and potentially fatal condition. Treatment and prevention of obstetric-related VTE is complicated by the need to consider fetal, as well as maternal, wellbeing when making management decisions. Although absolute VTE rates in this population are low, obstetric-associated VTE is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. This manuscript, initiated by the Anticoagulation Forum, provides practical clinical guidance on the prevention and treatment of obstetric-associated VTE based on existing guidelines and consensus expert opinion based on available literature where guidelines are lacking.