Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state (Virchow's triad) - predisposes to thromboembolism
Dural venous sinus thrombosis
Occlusion of the dural venous sinuses in the cranial cavity
Clinical presentation
One of the differentials of headache in pregnancy
70-88% present with headache but could present with seizure or other neurological sequlae
Investigations
MR venogram
Management
Anticoagulation - LMWH
Pulmonary artery thromboemolism
Acute obstruction of blood flow into the lungs → secondary cardiac failure
Investigations
CTPA or V/Q
Management
A therapeutic, fixed dose of LMWH based on early pregnancy body weight is the recomended therapy for PE in the majority of pregnant women without haemodynamic instability
Thrombolysis or surgical embolectomy should be considered for pregnant women with high-risk PE
Post-natal anticoagulation with warfarin - commence on 5th post-natal day, should be continued for at least 6 weeks post-natal
Neither heparin nor warfarin are contraindications to breast feeding