Future research directions for prevention and treatment of obstetric venous thromboembolism.

Pregnant patients are at high risk for venous thromboembolism, which accounts for 9% of maternal deaths in the United States. However, there are still a number of unanswered questions with regards to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition. This article highlights areas for future research with regards to three questions pertaining to venous thromboembolism in pregnancy: 1) how can risk stratification be improved; 2) what are the most effective means of prevention; 3) what is the role of novel oral anticoagulants in pregnancy and the postpartum period?