Embolism Flashcards
Among women who died after live birth the leading causes of death are
Embolism and PIH
Types of embolisms
Venous thromboembolism
PE
VAE
Amniotic fluid embolism
What is the risk of VTE with pregnancy
5-10x the risk
What physiological adaptions is VTE caused by
Venous stasis
Hypercoagulability
Damage to vessel wall
Virchows triad
Risk factors for VTE
> 35 y.o Higher parity Obesity Prolonged immobilization Surgery during pregnancy aka CS Family or personal history Pre-eclampsia Pelvic trauma Hereditary thrombophilia protein C and S deficiency
Clinical signs of PE
Most common: tachypnea and sudden onset of dyspnea
Tachycardia, desaturation
Lab findings with a PE
Hypoxemia
Resp alkalosis
Normal chest x ray
EKG findings with a PE
RV strain
ST segment abnormality
T wave inversion
Supraventricular arrhythmias
Respiratory failure, pulmonary HTN for PE may result from
Respiratory failure occurs from the occlusion of the pulmonary vasculature (V/Q mismatch), and pulmonary edema due to increased hydrostatic forces and the disruption of normal capillary integrity
Pulmonary HTN results from direct vascular obstruction and results in RV overload
Invasive monitoring with a PE reveals
Normal to low PA occlusion pressures
Increased mean PAP
Increased CVP
Diagnostic tests used for pE
V/Q scans
MRA
Spiral CT
Pulm angio
Pulm angio is required in
Patients who have a negative V/Q scan but strong clinical suspicion of PE or in severe cases for confirmation of PE before thrombolysis
What is the radiation dose to the fetus with a combination of CXR, V/Q scan, pulm angio
0.5 rad
> 5 is significant for tetratogenesis
Supportive measures for PE/VTE
Improve Oxygenation and circulation, O2 administration and cardiorespiratory support with fluids inotropes and vasopressors
RA filling pressures should be maintained at a high level to maintain output from the failing RV
Specific therapy for VTE/PE
Anticoag (heparin, LMWH)
Thrombolysis
What thrombolytics can be used during pregnancy
Streptokinase or urokinase, and r-tpa
Urokinase is less antigenic and should have fewer side effects
Does not induce systemic fibrinolysis but is active when bound to thrombin so it is clot specific
R-TPA
Antepartum and intrapartum complications from thrombolysis includes
Maternal hemorrhage and placental abruption
Which is the therapy of choice between heparin and LMWH
Unfractionated heparin