Anti-coagulation complications in pregnancies with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension

Epoprostenol, a potent vasodilator, is the treatment of choice for severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in pregnancy. However, its inhibition of platelet aggregation increases the risk of coagulation complications with conjunctive use of anti-coagulants for thromboprophylaxis.

Case 1 demonstrates a pregnancy complicated by thrombocytopenia. Case 2 describes a pregnancy with newly diagnosed PAH at 35 weeks who delivered by repeat cesarean delivery complicated by a wound hematoma. Case 3 describes a patient who delivered at 32 weeks. She required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and a heart-lung transplant. Her care was further complicated by severe thrombocytopenia with postpartum hemorrhage refractory to usual conservative measures.

This case series describes three patients with severe PAH in pregnancy and the range of different complications that arose from anticoagulation in the setting of epoprostenol.