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Review
. 2019 Jun;43(4):200-204.
doi: 10.1053/j.semperi.2019.03.004. Epub 2019 Mar 9.

Venous thromboembolism as a cause of severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States

Karon Abe  1 , Elena V Kuklina  2 , W Craig Hooper  3 , William M Callaghan  2
Affiliations
Review

Venous thromboembolism as a cause of severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States

Karon Abe et al. Semin Perinatol. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

In the U.S., deaths due to pulmonary embolism (PE) account for 9.2% of all pregnancy-related deaths or approximately 1.5 deaths per 100,000 live births. Maternal deaths and maternal morbidity due to PE are more common among women who deliver by cesarean section. In the past decade, the clinical community has increasingly adopted venous thromboembolism (VTE) guidelines and thromboprophylaxis recommendations for pregnant women. Although deep vein thrombosis rates have decreased during this time-period, PE rates have remained relatively unchanged in pregnancy hospitalizations and as a cause of maternal mortality. Changes in the health profile of women who become pregnant, particularly due to maternal age and co-morbidities, needs more attention to better understand the impact of VTE risk during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Keywords: Venous thromboembolism; maternal morbidity; maternal mortality; pregnancy.

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Figures

Fig. 1-
Fig. 1-
Timing of maternal deaths from pulmonary embolism, PMSS 1998–2013.
Fig. 2-
Fig. 2-
Rates of venous thromboembolism per 10,000 delivery hospitalizations among cesarean deliveries, nationwide inpatient sample, 2004–2014.
Fig. 3-
Fig. 3-
Rates of venous thromboembolism per 10,000 delivery hospitalizations among vaginal deliveries, nationwide inpatient sample, 2004–2014.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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