W. Henrich et al., Acute iliac vein thrombosis in pregnancy treated successfully by streptokinase lysis: a case report, J PERIN MED, 29(2), 2001, pp. 155-157
Background: Postthrombotic syndrome is an important late complication after
deep vein thrombosis in pregnancy. Thrombolytic agents are more efficient
in preventing this condition but are rarely used in pregnant women.
Case: A 22-year-old woman at 29 weeks of gestation presented with acute ili
ac vein thrombosis. After application of a heparin bolus, systemic streptok
inase lysis was performed. Low-dose heparin therapy was continued for the r
emainder of the, otherwise unremarkable, pregnancy. Spontaneous delivery of
a healthy girl was without complications and thromboprophylaxis with low-m
olecular heparin was continued.
Conclusion: Thrombolysis in pregnancy is possible and may help to prevent s
evere long-term sequelae of thrombosis in young women. Bleeding is a major
risk, which must be considered and therapy should only be administered unde
r close observation.