[Repeated thromboembolism during pregnancy with constitutional antithrombin deficiency]

Abstract

We report the case of a twenty-three-year old woman with constitutional antithrombin deficiency, who had oral anticoagulation since she was four years old. During her first pregnancy, after the introduction of unfractionated heparin prophylactic therapy, she presented a first venous thromboembolism at nine weeks, and a second one with low-molecular-weight heparin therapy at nineteen weeks. Because of a severe antithombin deficiency, regular infusions of antithrombin concentrates were necessary until delivery to ensure effective anticoagulation by heparin. Patients with antithrombin deficiency have a very high risk of venous thromboses during the pregnancy and post-partum. We discuss the significant points of management for this period.