Revised guidelines on reducing risk, treatment options for thromboembolic disease in pregnancy

Advice on preventing and treating venous thromboembolism (VTE) during pregnancy, birth and following delivery is outlined in two new revised guidelines published today (13 April) by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and launched at the RCOG World Congress in Brisbane, Australia.

VTE refers to the formation of a clot within veins. This can occur anywhere in the venous system, but the predominant sites are in the vessels of the leg (giving rise to deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) and in the lungs (resulting in a pulmonary embolism (PE)).

The Green-top Guidelines provide information, based on clinical evidence, to assist clinicians with both the prevention and treatment of VTE in pregnant women, a condition which remains the leading direct cause of maternal death in the UK.

VTE is uncommon in pregnancy or in the first 6 weeks postnatally and the absolute risk is around 1 in 1,000 pregnancies. It can occur at any stage in pregnancy, but the time of the highest risk is the first 6 weeks following birth, when the risk increases 20-fold.

Risk factors include previous VTE or thrombophilia (a tendency to form blood clots), obesity, increased maternal age, immobility and long-distance travel, admission to hospital during pregnancy and other comorbidities such as heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease and pre-eclampsia.

Additional risk factors occurring during the first trimester of pregnancy include hyperemesis gravidarum, ovarian hyperstimulation and IVF pregnancy. Caesarean section is also a risk factor.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) refers to the formation of a thrombus within veins. This can occur anywhere in the venous system but the clinically predominant sites are in the vessels of the leg (giving rise to deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) and in the lungs (resulting in a pulmonary embolus (PE)).

The pathophysiology of VTE in pregnancy appears to relate to the increased venous stasis noted during this period but other factors such as alterations in the balance of proteins of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems have also been implicated.

The guidelines emphasise that all women should undergo a thorough assessment for VTE in early pregnancy or pre-pregnancy and again intrapartum or immediately postpartum.

Any woman with risk factors should be considered for prophylactic low-molecular-weight-heparin (LMWH), an injection administered to thin the blood. The duration of treatment depends on the number of risk factors a woman has. It may be offered both antenatally and after the baby is born.

In addition, women with previous VTE must be offered pre-pregnancy counselling. A prospective management plan for VTE should also be made, including appropriate treatment to be offered as early as possible and a careful history documented.

Epidemiology