Risk Assessment and Management of Venous Thromboembolism in Women during Pregnancy and Puerperium (SAVE): An International, Cross-sectional Study

Correlation of Platelet Function with Postpartum Hemorrhage and Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Gestational Hypertension Complicated with Diabetes

Objective

This study was aimed at investigating the correlation of platelet function with postpartum hemorrhage and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in gestational hypertension patients with diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A total of 93 patients with gestational hypertension complicated with diabetes treated from March 2020 to June 2021 were selected as the research group, and 56 healthy pregnant women during the same period were selected as the control group. Platelet function-related indicators (platelet count (PLT), platelet volume distribution width (PDW), and mean platelet volume (MPV)) were compared between the two groups. The patients were divided into a severe group (n = 13), mild group (n = 28), and nonbleeding group (n = 52) according to the severity of postpartum hemorrhage, and the value of combined detection of platelet function-related indicators on the severity of postpartum hemorrhage was evaluated and analyzed. According to the occurrence of VTE, the patients were divided into a VTE group and non-VTE group to analyze the predictive value of combined detection of platelet function-related indicators for VTE occurrence in patients.

Results

The PLT value of the study group was lower than that of the control group, while the PDW and MPV values were higher than those of the control group (all P < 0.05). The PLT value increased with the aggravation of postpartum hemorrhage, while the PDW and MPV values decreased with the aggravation of postpartum hemorrhage among the three groups with different severities of postpartum hemorrhage (all P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of PLT, PDW, and MPV combination to evaluate the severity of postpartum hemorrhage in patients with gestational hypertension combined with diabetes was greater than that of PLT alone and PDW alone (both P < 0.05). The PLT value was negatively correlated with the severity of postpartum hemorrhage, while PDW and MPV values were positively correlated with the severity of postpartum hemorrhage (both P < 0.05). According to the occurrence of VTE, patients were divided into the VTE group (n = 10) and non-VTE group (n = 83). The PLT value of the VTE group was higher than that of the non-VTE group, while the PDW and MPV values were lower than those of the non-VTE group (all P < 0.05). The AUC of PLT, PDW, and MPV combination to predict the occurrence of VTE in patients with gestational hypertension combined with diabetes was greater than that of each index alone (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with gestational hypertension complicated with diabetes had abnormal platelet function, and the platelet function was related to postpartum hemorrhage and VTE.

Missed opportunities for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis during pregnancy and the postpartum period: evidence from mainland China in 2019

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has become one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended for the prevention of this condition; however, its use appears to be insufficient. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify the missed opportunities for VTE prophylaxis in hospitals that provide maternal healthcare in mainland China.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional survey-based study, we collected case data on pregnant and puerperal women with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism from January 1st to December 31st, 2019. Demographics, obstetric information, VTE risk assessment scores, and prophylaxis-related information were recorded. Thromboprophylaxis included mobilization, mechanical methods, and treatment with anticoagulants.

RESULTS

Data corresponding to a total of 106 cases from 26 hospitals across China were collected, and 100 (94.3%) cases, 75 cases involving deep vein thrombosis and 25 cases involving pulmonary thromboembolism, were included in the final analysis. VTE occurred in 80% of the patients at the postpartum stage, while 20 patients developed the disease during the antenatal stage. Cesarean section, advanced maternal age, and obesity were the most common risk factors related to VTE during the postpartum stage, while a previous VTE-related history was a prominent risk factor among antenatal cases. Up to 75% of the patients had one or more missed opportunities for prophylaxis. The lack of the implementation of mechanical methods (60.8% vs. 24.5%, P < 0.001) and anticoagulant treatment (61.1% vs. 48.7%, P < 0.001) were more common in general hospitals compared to those of specialized hospitals. In women assessed as high-risk, anticoagulant treatment was lacking in 41 (54.7%) cases. More importantly, the lack of the implementation of mechanical methods was more common among women assessed as low-risk (56.0% vs. 38.7%, P < 0.001). Among the antenatal cases, the lack of treatment with anticoagulants (100.0% vs. 48.5%, P < 0.001) and implementation of mechanical methods (70.0% vs. 36.7%, P < 0.001) was highlighted. In addition, the lack of early mobilization was much more prominent among the PTE cases (10.5% vs. 37.5%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

At least one prophylactic opportunity was missed in most of the enrolled Chinese women with VTE during the course of their maternal healthcare. Missed prophylactic opportunities varied with the type of hospitals, risk assessment, onset timing and disease type. Further efforts from patients, healthcare systems, and healthcare providers are needed for improving the implementation of preventative strategies.

Obstetric venous thromboembolism: a one-year prospective study in a tertiary hospital in Egypt

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Obstetric venous thromboembolism (VTE) poses a life-threating burden and it is one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality with an increased incidence throughout the last decades. The objectives of this study were to assess the incidence of VTE, types of prophylaxis received, and factors determining prophylaxis in women at VTE risk during pregnancy and puerperium at a tertiary hospital for 1 year.

METHODS

This is a prospective study that was carried out at Minia maternity university hospital, Egypt during the period from June 2018 to June 2019. The study included women attended the hospital at risk of VTE as per the RCOG guidelines. Full history, patient characteristics, and VTE risk factors were assessed.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total of 901 women attended the hospital and perceived at risk of VTE (298 cases during pregnancy and 603 cases during puerperium), about half of them were mild in intensity. They comprise 8.22% of the total deliveries during the study period (n = 10,956). About two-thirds of them (71.5%) had a cesarean delivery. Varicose veins were found in 209 cases (23.2%), previous VTE in 189 cases (21.0%), previous superficial vein thrombosis was recorded in 240 cases (26.6%) and previous arterial ischemic events in 83 cases (9.2%). The vast majority of patients (99.6%) received the pharmacological type of prophylaxis (55.6% of them received unfractionated heparin and the rest of them 43.9% received Aspirin). Only six cases developed VTE from the total included cases with an incidence of 0.55/1000 maternities (0.055%). Obesity (BMI >30 kg/m²) and cesarean delivery were significant factors that determine VTE prophylaxis with an odds ratio of 1.68 (95% CI, 1.20-2.35, p < .01) and 2.05 (95% CI, 1.49-2.80, p < .01), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of women perceived at VTE risk was 8.22%, about half of them were mild in intensity. The risk of VTE was higher during the postpartum period than that during pregnancy. The incidence of VTE was 0.55/1000 overall maternities (0.055%). The pharmacological type of prophylaxis was the predominant used type. Obesity and cesarean delivery were significant factors determining VTE prophylaxis.

Nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward venous thromboembolism prophylaxis: How to do better

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the cognition of nurses on the control and treatment of venous thromboembolism in China, thereby providing suitable countermeasures for clinical venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and treatment.

METHODS

In December 2019, a total of 1121 registered nurses from a university-affiliated hospital were selected to answer the self-designed and electronic questionnaire (Wenquanxing: www.wjx.cn/), which was designed to evaluate the nurses' knowledge (21 items), attitudes (6 items), and behaviors (9 items) toward venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Descriptive, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted for data analysis.

RESULTS

Of the included 1121 nurses, only 55.43% nurses selected 100% correct answer. The influencing factors of knowledge included the department, education, professional ranks, and venous thromboembolism nursing experience. The nurses from ICU department gained the highest score, but the nurses from pediatrics department obtained the lowest score. The nurses with higher education level and professional ranks, and nursing experiences achieved higher scores. The total positive response rate for the attitude-related items was 68.54%. Nurses were primarily concerned about the financial penalty due to the inability to complete the work (49.0%). An increasing workload is the second primary concern of nurses (40.8%). The increasing medical cost, extension of hospital stay, and exacerbation of doctor-patient conflicts were the most serious difficulties involved in venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. The total correct score rate for the behaviors was 56.19%. Nearly half of the nurses could not offer advice for venous thromboembolism patients. The nursing experience, department, and years of work were related to the scores of knowledge-related items (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall knowledge level of the nurses was not optimistic. Although their general attitude toward venous thromboembolism prophylaxis was positive, their behaviors were influenced by many factors. Administrators should, therefore, make countermeasures to deal with these problems.