Antithrombotic therapy in high-risk pregnancy

Venous thromboembolism remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality ass ociated with pregnancy and puerperium. Specific risk factors for this disor der can be identified before or during pregnancy and delivery. The heritabl e defects believed to be associated with venous thrombosis are factor V Lei den mutation; elevated antiphospholipid antibodies; and deficiencies of ant ithrombin, protein C, and protein S. Women with a history of thromboembolis m and thrombophilia should receive antenatal and postpartum thrombosis prop hylaxis.