Diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas in pregnant woman with pulmonary embolism

Abstract

Hypercoagulable state during pregnancy and puerperium is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic disease. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the leading cause of maternal death in the developed world. Clinical assessment of PE may be difficult due to nonspecific signs and symptoms, especially in pregnant women. Diagnostic procedures using ionizing radiation may be harmful for the fetus while aggressive anticoagulation may expose the mother to bleeding complications The aim of this paper was to present a case of a 27-year-old pregnant woman with high-risk PE.