Peripartum pulmonary embolism

Clin Chest Med. 2011 Mar;32(1):147-164. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2010.11.005.

Abstract

Pregnancy is an example of Virchow's triad predisposing to the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Specific risk factors for antepartum and postpartum VTE have been identified. The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in pregnancy is complicated by the physiologic changes of pregnancy as well as physicians' apprehension about ordering radiologic studies during pregnancy because of concerns with fetal well-being. Therapy for VTE is complicated by pregnancy physiology affecting medication pharmacokinetics and bioavailability, and the unpredictable occurrence of labor during therapeutic anticoagulation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Maternal Mortality
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular* / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular* / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular* / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular* / physiopathology
  • Prognosis
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / epidemiology
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / physiopathology
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Venous Thromboembolism* / diagnosis
  • Venous Thromboembolism* / drug therapy
  • Venous Thromboembolism* / epidemiology
  • Venous Thromboembolism* / physiopathology