scoping review of venous thromboembolism and antithrombotic therapy in pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a known factor implicated in maternal mortality. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin (UFH) are being widely used in cases of VTE. However, the efficiency of both of these drugs in the treatment of VTE is limited. Hence, a scoping review was conducted to understand the role of these drugs in the case of VTE. Methodology: The studies that included either the VTE or pulmonary embolism (PE) or both, and the studies that used the intervention of either the LMWH or UHF or both were selected. Case-control or cohort studies were included. The studies that were case-reports or with a sample of <10 were excluded. Results: Fifteen studies included 819 subjects with acute VTE. A total of 506 deep venous thrombosis (DVTs) and 127 PEs were reported in these studies. A total of 656 individuals received LMWH and 150 received UFH. There were 21 cases of antenatal bleeding and 259 cases of peri and post-delivery bleeding. UFH was given intravenously and subcutaneously in accordance with activated partial thromboplastin time results. Fifteen recurrent VTEs: four were DVTs and 11 were PEs (one death).