VTE remains the main direct cause of maternal death and sequential reports of Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths have highlighted failures in obtaining objective diagnoses and employing adequate treatment. The subjective, clinical assessment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is particularly unreliable in pregnancy and a minority of women with clinically suspected VTE have the diagnosis confirmed when objective testing is employed.
The aim of this guideline is to provide information, based on clinical evidence where available, regarding the immediate investigation and management of women in whom venous thromboembolism (VTE) is suspected during pregnancy or the puerperium. Diagnosis of acute VTE: Any woman with signs and symptoms suggestive of VTE should have objective testing performed expeditiously and treatment with low-molecular-weight…
