The Role of Pharmacoprophylaxis in Postpartum VTE Prevention

Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) are among the top three causes of maternal death in developed countries and prevention with thromboprophylaxis has been identified as the most readily implementable means of reducing maternal mortality from VTE. Most guidelines address VTE prophylaxis after cesarean section, and/or in those with thrombophilias- not after vaginal delivery alone. The ACOG does not directly address inpatient pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis during antepartum admission nor after vaginal deliveries for patients without a known thrombophilia or without a personal history of a VTE event. Guideline recommendations regarding thromboprophylaxis strategies for women with more commonly occurring risk factors- such as Preeclampsia with severe features- vary widely, leading to uncertainty regarding the optimal strategy for prevention. Do you order pharmacoprophylaxis for postpartum (SVD) patients with “minor risk factors”? What about the patient whose BMI is 40? Have you heard of the recommendations from the NPMS and the CMQCC regarding VTE prevention after vaginal birth? In this episode we're going to review VTE prophylaxis after vaginal delivery and take a look at the data.