PB1315 - Predictors of Pregnancy Associated Venous Thromboembolism: A Case-Control Study

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) manifesting as pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is an important cause of morbidity and the most common cause of maternal death during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Aims: We conducted this study to describe the predictors of pregnancy-induced VTE (DVT and PE), among pregnant women.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Riyadh. A total of 180 patients diagnosed with pregnancy-associated thrombosis were included in this study as cases and 200 subjects who did not develop VTE were included as controls. Demographic data were collected by medical chart review. Risk factors of VTE were collected using the risk assessment tool of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The main outcome measures were VTE, manifesting as PE or DVT.

Results: The results of the multivariate analysis identifying the predictors of having VTE showed the following factors: family history (OR=50.47, 95%CI: 6.78–375.64, P-Value <.0001), thrombophilia (OR=21.99, 95%CI: 2.83–170.63, P-Value=.003), and gross varicose veins (OR=17.15, 95%CI: 3.93–74.87, P-Value <.0001).

Conclusion(s): The findings of this study show that family history, thrombophilia, and gross varicose vein were the provoking factors for VTE, exceeding other transient risk factors. Prophylaxis is recommended for women at the highest risk of pregnancy-related VTE, such as those with inherited thrombophilia, a strong family or personal history of VTE, and with gross varicose veins.