The use of thrombolytic therapy in pregnancy

The relative hypercoagulable state of pregnancy leads to an increased risk of thrombotic complications, of which some may be life-threatening or medically devastating. In the non-pregnant patient, the current guidelines suggest thrombolysis as the primary treatment in acute ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction when percutaneous intervention is unavailable, certain cases of mechanical valve thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism with hemodynamic compromise or shock. Given that clinical trial data regarding thrombolytic use in pregnant women are absent due to exclusion, the goal of this review is to summarize the available published data regarding the use of thrombolytic agents and subsequent outcomes and complications in pregnant women. Overall, the use of thrombolytic agents in pregnancy is associated with a relatively low reported complication rate, especially given the severe medical conditions for which they are indicated. The data would suggest that thrombolysis should be considered for appropriate indications similar to that of non-pregnant patients. However, caution should be exercised when drawing conclusions regarding maternal and fetal safety, given the lack of controlled clinical trials including pregnant women and the nature of the weak evidence level of the cumulative data presented in this review.

[News on antithrombotic therapy and pregnancy]

OBJECTIVES

State of the art of antithrombotics and their use recommendations during pregnancy.

METHODS

A review

RESULTS

Aspirin and heparins remain the safest molecules during pregnancy, and oral anticoagulants are still used for mechanical valves. Heparinoids are the methods of choice in case of heparin-induced thrombopenia but other molecules could find their place: fondaparinux at first and possibly the direct thrombin inhibitors. Thrombolysis may be used in case of life-threatening incident. At present, the new oral forms can not be used during pregnancy

CONCLUSIONS

During pregnancy, all antithrombotics, except the oral forms, can be used, but the low molecular weight heparins replacing the unfractionated ones in the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism remain the treatment of choice.