Thromboembolism and Thrombosis during Pregnancy and After Delivery between 2009 and 2012 in Al-Zahra Educational Center

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is considered as one of the leading causes of maternal mortality during pregnancy and postpartum period. In this retrospective study the medical records of 81 women diagnosed with Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) between 2009 and 2012 in Tabriz Al-Zahra hospital was participated. These cases were evaluated regarding frequency, maternal and fetus risk factors associated with VTE. During 3 years 33 patients were diagnosed as PTE; 7 women were diagnosed as DVT and PTE; and 41 women were diagnosed as DVT. Most frequent underlying disease was hypertension (13.5%) and most frequent symptoms of PTE and DVT were dyspnea (100%) and swelling of lower limb (100%) respectively. 93% of PTE and 79% of DVT incidences occurred during and after the third trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, 38% of PTE occurred during or after childbirth (33% following cesarean and 5% following vaginal delivery). Therefore, it seems that vaginal delivery is safer than cesarean surgery. In addition, the importance of third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum period is obvious.