Postpartum Thromboembolism Prophylaxis during Delivery Hospitalizations

Safety and effectiveness of fondaparinux as a postpartum thromboprophylaxis during puerperium among muslim women: A single centre prospective study

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, with postpartum period carrying the greatest risk. Perinatal thromboprophylaxis is often administered based on risk-factor assessment. Low molecular weight heparin has a proven safety profile in the obstetrics population, however, its porcine-derived content may lead to reduced uptake amongst certain religious groups. We aimed to evaluate the safety of fondaparinux as an alternative postpartum thromboprophylaxis.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, single arm, open label study from September 2017 until March 2018. Women who fulfilled the criteria for post natal thromboprophylaxis based on the 2015 RCOG guidelines were recruited. Each patient received subcutaneous injection of Fondaparinux, 2.5 mg daily for 10 days. A telephone interview was conducted on day 10 post delivery. Each woman was subsequently reviewed in the outpatient clinic 6 weeks postpartum. The primary outcome measure was occurrence of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis suggestive by clinical symptoms and assessment. Secondary outcome measures were allergic reaction and bleeding tendency such as secondary post-partum haemorrhage, spinal site bleeding and wound haematoma. Allergic reaction and bleeding tendency in neonates were also recorded.

Results: Sixty women were included in the analysis. There were no VTE cases amongst our cohort. No major bleeding was recorded. Two patients (3.3%) had wound haematoma, one of which occurred 3 weeks post delivery. No adverse effect in neonates was noted.

Conclusion: Fondaparinux is a safe alternative thromboprophylaxis for postpartum women.

Trends in Venous Thromboembolism and Associated Risk Factors During Delivery Hospitalizations From 2000 to 2018

OBJECTIVE

To characterize trends in and risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) during delivery hospitalizations in the United States.

METHODS

The 2000-2018 National Inpatient Sample was used for this repeated cross-sectional analysis. Venous thromboembolism (including deep vein thrombosis [DVT] and pulmonary embolism) during delivery hospitalizations for women aged 15 to 54 years was determined by year. Temporal trends in VTE were characterized using joinpoint regression with estimates presented as the average annual percent change. Temporal trends in common VTE risk factors were also analyzed. The proportion of vaginal and cesarean deliveries by year that had VTE risk factors was determined, and average annual percent changes with 95% CIs were calculated. The relationship between risk factors and the likelihood of VTE events was determined with adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Of 73,109,789 delivery hospitalizations, 48,546 VTE events occurred (6.6/10,000 deliveries), including 37,312 DVT diagnoses and 12,487 pulmonary embolism diagnoses. Rates increased significantly for vaginal (average annual percent change 2.5%, 95% CI 1.5-3.5%) but not for cesarean delivery hospitalizations (average annual percent change 0.3%, 95% CI -1.0 to 1.6%) over the study period. Pulmonary embolism increased for both vaginal delivery (average annual percent change 8.7%, 95% CI 6.0-11.5%) and cesarean delivery (average annual percent change 4.9%, 95% CI 3.6-6.2%). The proportion of cesarean deliveries with at least one VTE risk factor increased from 27.2% in 2000 to 43.6% in 2018 (average annual percent change 2.6%, 95% CI 2.2-3.1%) and for vaginal deliveries, from 17.7% to 31.4% (average annual percent change 3.4%, 95% CI 2.3-4.4%). The 5.9% of deliveries with at least two VTE risk factor diagnoses accounted for 25.4% of VTE diagnoses. Factors with the highest VTE risk included transfusion (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.1, 95% CI 3.7-4.5), infection (aOR 5.8, 95% CI 5.3-6.3), history of VTE (aOR 7.2, 95% CI 6.2-8.4), and thrombophilias (aOR 9.6, 95% CI 8.5-11.0).

CONCLUSION

Both risk factors for VTE and rate of pulmonary embolism increased over the study period. Deep vein thrombosis increased during vaginal delivery hospitalizations but not during cesarean delivery hospitalizations.

Expert review: prevention of obstetrical venous thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism represents a persistent proportionate cause of maternal mortality in the United States accounting for 9% to 10% of maternal deaths. Given that overall maternal mortality rose >40% since the late 1990s, it is likely that absolute venous thromboembolism mortality risk increased as well. This persistent risk may be secondary to increases in broad population-based risk factors for venous thromboembolism such as obesity and cesarean delivery. Widespread adoption of perioperative cesarean mechanical thromboprophylaxis is associated with reduced risk for venous thromboembolism events but has not been sufficient to reduce mortality. Experts agree that improved clinical care is required to reduce risk as it is unlikely that trends in venous thromboembolism risk factors will reverse course anytime soon. Experts further agree that improving prophylaxis and prevention may provide the largest benefit. However, how to best improve prophylaxis is highly controversial with both experts and guidelines in disagreement. In the United Kingdom, mortality risk decreased substantially following the 2004 recommendations for broader heparin prophylaxis without evidence of increased mortality risk from hemorrhage. A key clinical question in the United States is whether heparin prophylaxis should be expanded to patients hospitalized for cesarean delivery or an antepartum indication. Some experts, including us, support expanded heparin prophylaxis. Evidence supporting heparin prophylaxis includes (1) demonstration of safety and efficacy in the United Kingdom, (2) that mechanical prophylaxis-the primary alternative to heparin-has major limitations outside the immediate perioperative setting, and (3) that hospitalized cesarean and antepartum patients are at high relative risk of events. Experts against broader heparin prophylaxis cite concerns related to safety, efficacy, and cost. This expert review focused on whether heparin prophylaxis should be routinely used during antepartum hospitalizations and after cesarean delivery. First, we review the differences in major society guidelines. Second, we review arguments for and against broader heparin prophylaxis. Third, we discuss what future research may be most likely to further inform best practices. Fourth, we review practical clinical considerations with heparin prophylaxis, including access to neuraxial anesthesia. Given the best available data, we concluded that expanding heparin prophylaxis represents a modest intervention with the potential to meaningfully reduce venous thromboembolism mortality.

North American Physician Practice Patterns in the Management of Anticoagulation in Pregnancy

Background: During pregnancy and in the postpartum period women are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) owing to hypercoagulability and mechanical issues, as well as nonpregnancy conditions including inherited and acquired thrombophilia. Although guidelines exist for the use of thromboprophylaxis in this setting, there are differences in the specifics of the recommendations among expert societies. We assessed the current practice patterns of North American providers in the prevention of pregnancy-associated VTE in women with thrombophilia. Methods: A survey was created and distributed with case studies and questions addressing VTE prevention during the antepartum and postpartum periods. Results: Surveys were completed by 28% of adult providers queried, with broad geographic representation. There was consistent use of a prophylactic dose of low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) ante- and postpartum for individuals with low-risk thrombophilia and past estrogen-provoked VTE but a lack of a consensus of anticoagulant (AC) use and dose in individuals with higher risk thrombophilia. There was variability in the dose selection and monitoring of AC when using induction versus spontaneous labor, with 47% of providers switching from LMWH to unfractionated heparin for those not having a scheduled delivery, and there were differences in the duration of postpartum prophylaxis based upon delivery mode. Conclusion: In this survey of North American experienced specialists' responses to a variety of commonly encountered scenarios of thrombophilia and pregnancy and the management of AC were not always consistent with published guidelines.

Global guidelines trends and controversies in lower limb venous and lymphatic disease: Narrative literature revision and experts' opinions following the vWINter international meeting in Phlebology, Lymphology & Aesthetics, 23-25 January 2019

Guidelines are fundamental in addressing everyday clinical indications and in reporting the current evidence-based data of related scientific investigations. At the same time, a spatial and temporal issue can limit their value. Indeed, variability in the recommendations can be found both among the same nation different scientific societies and among different nations/continents. On the other side, Garcia already published in 2014 data showing how, after three years in average, one out of five recommendations gets outdated (Martinez Garcia LM, Sanabria AJ, Garcia Alvarez E, et al. The validity of recommendations from clinical guidelines: a survival analysis. CMAJ 2014;186(16):1211–1219). The present document reports a narrative literature revision on the major international recommendations in lower limb venous and lymphatic disease management, focusing on the different countries’ guidelines, trends and controversies from all the continents, while identifying new evidence-based data potentially influencing future guidelines. World renowned experts’ opinions are also provided. The document has been written following the recorded round tables scientific discussions held at the vWINter international meeting (22–26 January 2019; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy) and the pre- and post-meeting literature search performed by the leading experts.

Outcomes research on obstetric venous thromboembolism

Outcomes research on obstetric venous thromboembolism (VTE) involves a number of major challenges. While obstetric VTE, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is relatively common on a population basis, diagnoses during pregnancy are relatively rare in comparison to high-risk scenarios such as orthopedic surgery. This review characterizes outcomes research on obstetric VTE with a focus on strengths, limitations, and appropriate inferences from existing research. It is divided into four sections. First, evidence regarding validity of diagnosis codes for VTE in administrative data is reviewed. Second, limitations of both clinical research and administrative-data study models are analyzed. Third, examples of high-quality obstetric VTE research from the literature and opportunities for improved research in the future are reviewed. Fourth, future directions for research are explored.