A review of thromboembolic complications in pregnancy.

Combined with the enlarging uterus compressing the venous system of the pelvis and the vessel trauma incurred in delivery, an increase in clotting factor production in pregnancy predisposes the gravid patient to the peril of thromboembolism. When a patient has an inherited thrombophilia and becomes pregnant, this combination of risk factors in the presence of pregnancy may be the tipping point, pushing the coagulation cascade into an activated state. All thrombophilias, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism are factors associated with complications in pregnancy that may lead to catastrophic consequences. This review report on the most frequent thromboembolic complications in pregnancy.