New RCOG guidelines for venous thromboembolism

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have released new guidelines on the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during pregnancy, birth and following delivery. Though VTE is rare it is still the leading direct cause of maternal deaths in the UK.

Some key points highlighted in the guidelines are:

All women should undergo a thorough assessment for VTE in early pregnancy or pre-pregnancy and again intrapartum or immediately postpartum.

Any woman with risk factors should be considered for prophylactic low-molecular-weight-heparin (LMWH), an injection administered to thin the blood.

Additionally, women with previous VTE must be offered pre-pregnancy counselling and a prospective management plan for VTE should be made including appropriate treatment to be offered as early as possible.

Any woman presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of VTE should be tested for the condition immediately and LMWH treatment should be offered.

Professor Catherine Nelson-Piercy lead author of the guideline on preventing thromboembolism said: “Venous thromboembolism is rare in pregnancy and with prompt recognition can be treated effectively. This guidance provides clinicians with accurate scientific-based guidance on the risk factors for VTE as well as how to prevent and treat the condition.”

Download the full guidelines here and here

Read a summary here