VTE prophylaxis in pregnant people with chronic physical disability: Data from a physicians survey and the need for guidance

Sajida Kazi; Anne McLeod; Anne Berndl

doi:10.1177/1753495X221074616

VTE prophylaxis in pregnant people with chronic physical disability: Data from a physicians survey and the need for guidance

Obstet Med. 2023 Mar;16(1):35-39. doi: 10.1177/1753495X221074616. Epub 2022 Jan 27.

Authors

Sajida Kazi¹, Anne McLeod², Anne Berndl³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
² Department of Haematology, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
³ Division of Hematology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

Background: International guidelines recommend risk assessment during the antepartum and postpartum period to inform VTE prophylaxis. We aimed to evaluate physicians' approach to VTE prophylaxis of women with chronic physical disability (CPD) during pregnancy.

Methods: A cross-sectional study consisting of a self-administered electronic questionnaire was sent to specialists across Canada.

Results: Seventy-three participants responded to the survey, and 55 (75.3%) completed the survey including 33 (60%) Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialists and 22 (40%) Internal Medicine (IM) specialists including physicians with an interest in Obstetric Medicine. Our study shows considerable variation in VTE thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy with CPD. Most respondents favoured antepartum (67.3%) and postpartum (65.5%) VTE prophylaxis for pregnancies within a year of spinal cord injury.

Conclusions: In order to better manage this complex population, CPD should be considered as a risk factor for development of VTE.

Keywords: VTE prophylaxis; disability; pregnancy; thrombosis.