Does the incidence of pulmonary embolism increase during pregnancy?

Abstract

A review of recent evidence with translation to practice for the advanced practice nurse role is presented using a case study module for "Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Pregnant Patients Investigated for Suspected Pulmonary Embolism in the Emergency Department." The study results showed that there were 25,339 patients evaluated for pulmonary embolism in an emergency department included in the 17 study articles, 2,636 had venous thromboembolism (VTE; 13%; 95% CI [10, 17]), and 506 were pregnant and underwent diagnostic chest imaging (2%; 95% CI [1.5, 2.6]). These data suggest that pregnancy does not appear to increase the incidence of a VTE-positive diagnosis. The implications and clinical relevance of these findings for advanced practice nurses are discussed highlighting best evidence.