Thromboembolic Disease in Pregnancy

Pregnant or postpartum patients have a significantly increased risk of thromboembolic disease compared to the general patient population. Most significant risk is for venous thromboembolism (VTE) including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism which can occur any time during pregnancy. Unfortunately, signs and symptoms of edema, shortness of breath, and pain which are common dependent on the location of the thromboembolism can also be confused with expectant physiologic changes of pregnancy when a pregnant patient presents to the emergency department. Therefore, it is important to risk stratify for VTE in pregnancy and determine which imaging modalities are most beneficial with the least risk to the patient and fetus and the provider must be able to describe the general radiation risk to a patient. Anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin is commonly used for treatment, but anticoagulation should be coordinated with an obstetrics specialist.