Pregnancy-Related Thromboembolism—Current Challenges at the Emergency Department

Abstract

Thrombotic events during pregnancy are burdened by an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, despite innovations in their diagnosis and treatment. Given their multifactorial etiology, it is important to understand all the pathophysiological mechanisms but especially to achieve correct and timely diagnosis. Pulmonary embolism (PE) during pregnancy represents a rare event, with an incidence of 1 per 1000 pregnancies, but it is also one of the leading causes of death during pregnancy. Managing PE in the acute setting is even more challenging and complex due to the attempt to maintain a balance between hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications while ensuring an optimal outcome for both the mother and the baby. In this review, our aim is to analyze the most significant challenges of acute PE during pregnancy and identify suitable management approaches for specific situations in order to improve the prognosis of pregnant women.