Thromboembolism and its management in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES

To formulate recommendations for the management of thromboembolism during pregnancy.

DATA SOURCES: The English language published literature derived from Medline and covering the following aspects of thromboembolism in pregnancy was reviewed: epidemiology; pathogenesis; clinical features; investigations; the pharmacology of various anticoagulants; management and prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism; medicolegal aspects.

STUDY SELECTION: Publications published between 1960 and 1990 were cited. These studies were selected because data appeared reliable and with appropriate conclusions.

DATA SYNTHESIS AND

CONCLUSIONS

Many questions are still not completely resolved, but the information gathered should provide firm guidelines to practitioners in the areas of diagnosis, the choice of anticoagulant drugs, methods of administration of the drugs, and measurement of therapeutic endpoints.