Perioperative Medicine Web-Based Curriculum & Reference

PERIOPERATIVE MEDICINE

Web-Based Curriculum & Reference

Editors

Kurt J. Pfeifer, MD, FACP

Steven L. Cohn, MD, FACP

Medical College of Wisconsin

State University of New York - Downstate

Pregnancy

Michael P. Carson, MD & David A. Halle, MD

	RISK MANAGEMENT
	Postoperative Management

	VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM (VTE) PROPHYLAXIS
	Avoid volume depletion (promotes venous stasis). No contraindications to intermittent pneumatic compression devices. If kept on for 22-23 hours a day, they can be as effective as heparins. Neither unfractionated heparin (UFH) nor low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) do not cross the placenta and both can be used safely. Consider BID dosing of LMWH. For UFH use 7500 units BID in the 2nd trimester & 10,000 units BID in the 3rd trimester.


The risk of DVT in pregnancy is at least doubled. No data are available on the risk of DVT in pregnant surgical patients.