ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) remains a major cause of maternal mortality and is the most common direct cause of maternal death in the United Kingdom.1 Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) underlies PTE. Many DVTs are not recognized clinically and are identified only at autopsy after a maternal death. DVT is also associated with a significant risk of further thrombosis and deep venous insufficiency. The need for adequate diagnosis and treatment of thromboembolic disease in pregnancy has been highlighted by the UK Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths.1 The recent developments in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy are examined in this chapter.
