Pulmonary Thromboembolism in Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Data on the optimal diagnostic management of pregnant women with suspected pulmonary embolism are limited. Despite a lack of compelling evidence in some practices, clinical practice guidelines focus on the management of these patients. We present the case of a 24-year-old patient at 36 weeks of pregnancy in whom pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) was diagnosed in a timely manner also with hemodynamic instability and echocardiographic images with clear involvement of the right cavities. She received thrombolytic therapy with alteplase 100 mg intravenously over 2 hours, which resulted in excellent outcomes for both the pregnant woman and fetus. Understanding the acute approach and management of these patients will improve our clinical practice; therefore, we reviewed a case report of a pregnant patient with high-risk PTE and compared it with current evidence. In conclusion, PE is a common disease with a high mortality rate during pregnancy. Therefore, having made a timely diagnosis using the relevant diagnostic aids and performing thrombolysis with rtPA increase the probability of survival in our patient, leading to successful results for both her and the fetus.

Keywords:

• pulmonary embolism
• venous thromboembolism
• pregnancy
• thrombolysis
• fibrinolytics

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the General Direction of Research of the Universidad Santiago de Cali under Call No. 02-2023. The activities of the research team for conducting the study were sponsored by Clínica de Occidente S.A. and Universidad Santiago de Cali. However, the authors declare that a total level of autonomy for the development of the study in all phases of the study.

Disclosure

The authors do not declare conflicts of interest.