Antithrombotic therapy in high-risk pregnancy

Venous thromboembolism remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality associated with pregnancy and puerperium. Specific risk factors for this disorder can be identified before or during pregnancy and delivery. The heritable defects believed to be associated with venous thrombosis are factor V Leiden mutation; elevated antiphospholipid antibodies; and deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C, and protein S. Women with a history of thromboembolism and thrombophilia should receive antenatal and postpartum thrombosis prophylaxis.