DVT | Notion

Deep Vein Thrombosis

DVT and PE in Pregnancy

For patients with a suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT):

Compression duplex ultrasound should be undertaken where there is clinical suspicion of DVT

For patients with a suspected pulmonary embolism (PE):

ECG and chest x-ray should be performed in all patients
In women who also have symptoms and signs of DVT, compression duplex ultrasound should be performed. If compression ultrasonography confirms the presence of DVT, no further investigation is necessary and treatment for VTE should continue
the decision to perform a V/Q or CTPA should be taken at a local level after discussion with the patient and radiologist

CTPA	V/Q scanning
CTPA slightly increases the lifetime risk of maternal breast cancer (increased by up to 13.6%, background risk of 1/200 for study population). Pregnancy makes breast tissue particularly sensitive to the effects of radiation	V/Q scanning carries a slightly increased risk of childhood cancer compared with CTPA (1/50,000 versus less than 1/1,000,000)

D-dimer is of limited use in the investigation of thromboembolism as it often raised in pregnancy.