23 May Risk of Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism among Pregnant Women

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Hirohito Ichii

Hirohito Ichii, M.D, Ph.D, FACS
Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery
Division of Transplantation,
Department of Surgery
University of California, Irvine,
Orange CA 92868

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a critical complication after surgery. Although pregnancy is known to increase the risk of VTE 4- to 5-fold, there are scarce data on the risk of VTE among pregnant women who are undergoing surgery. In this study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data, we observed that pregnant women, compared to matched non-pregnant women, experienced 93% higher likelihood of developing VTE. Absolute incidence of VTE among pregnant vs. matched non-pregnant were 0.5% vs. 0.3%.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Pregnancy may be a strong risk factor for post-operative VTE. The absolute risk difference was small (0.2%), and careful evaluation against the potential risk and benefit should be given when surgical treatment is considered among pregnant women.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Further studies are necessary to identify high-risk patients who benefit from careful monitoring and aggressive prophylaxis.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: Given the physiological increase in body fluid during the antepartum period, the pregnancy-associated risk of postoperative VTE is suggested to involve other factors such as increased procoagulant factors (i.e. fibrinogen, factor VIII and von Willebrand factor) and reduced anticoagulant factors (i.e., protein C and protein S) as well as venous compression by enlarged uterus.

We have no conflict of interest to disclose.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Risk of Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism among Pregnant Women
Suematsu, Yasunori et al.
American Journal of Cardiology May 11 2017

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on May 23, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD