AUTHOR=Raia-Barjat Tiphaine , Edebiri Osasere , Ni Ainle Fionnuala 

TITLE=Preeclampsia and Venous Thromboembolism: Pathophysiology and Potential Therapy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2022.856923

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2022.856923

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=Preeclampsia (PET) is a multisystem inflammatory disorder that represents a leading cause of feto-maternal morbidity and mortality, complicating up to 10% of all pregnancies. PET incurs an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, which is one of the leading causes of death in pregnancy and in the postpartum period. This prothrombotic phenotype is attributable to the maternal phase of PET, which is characterised by a systemic inflammatory response and coagulation activation. Research continues to be undertaken in terms of preventative measures, however, currently revolves around pharmacological low dose aspirin initiated in the first trimester of pregnancy for those with risk factors. Treatment involves antenatal corticosteroids, parenteral magnesium sulfate, and timely birth of the fetus and placenta being the only definitive treatment. Patients with a VTE risk deemed to be > 1 – 3% are treated with pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in the form of low molecular weight heparin. Completing each woman’s VTE risk assessment is crucial, particularly in the setting of PET, as there is also a proven associated competing haemorrhagic risk.