VTE in pregnancy Flashcards
1
Q
Why is the risk of VTE increased in pregnancy?
A
Pregnancy is hypercoagulable state
2
Q
An increase in what causes the hypercoagulable state in pregnancy?
A
Fibrinogen
Factor 8
Platelets
3
Q
A decrease in what causes a hypercoagulable state in pregnancy?
A
Natural anticoagulants (antithrombin 3)
Fibrinolysis
4
Q
How does VTE present?
A
Pain in calf Increased girth of affected leg Calf muscle tender Breathlessness Pain on breathing Cough
5
Q
What are the main risk factors for VTE?
A
Age > 35 Body mass index > 30 Parity > 3 Smoker Pre-eclampsia Family history Immobility Multiple pregnancies IVF pregnancy
6
Q
What is the management if someone has 4 or more risk factors?
A
Give immediate low molecular weight heparin
7
Q
How long would you continue the low molecular weight heparin?
A
6 weeks postnatal
8
Q
What is the management of someone with 3 or more risk factors?
A
Low molecular weight heparin at week 28
