Korean Circ J.  2011 Jan;41(1):23-27. 10.4070/kcj.2011.41.1.23.

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension, But Not Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Is a Risk Factor for Venous Thromboembolism in Pregnancy

• Won HS
• Kim DY
• Yang MS
• Lee SJ
• Shin HH
• Park JB

• KMID: 2225150
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2011.41.1.23

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to identify the association of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE).
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
This was a retrospective study of 57,009 pregnancies during 2002-2008 at Cheil General Hospital, Kwandong University. The diagnosis of VTE {deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (PE)} was based on clot visualization via ultrasound or computed tomography.
RESULTS
In total, 27 cases (PE, 20 cases) were detected. The incidence of VTE was 0.47 per 1,000 pregnancies. To determine risk factors associated with pregnancy-induced VTE, univariate analysis using a chi-square test was performed. Cesarean (C)-section, multiple pregnancy, PIH, placenta previa, and assisted reproduction technique (ART) were statistically significant compared to the controls (all, p=0.000). However, age, premature rupture of membrane, and GDM were not statistically related to VTE. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios for the risk factors. Placenta previa showed a 12.6-fold higher risk, while PIH had a 9.8-fold higher risk for the occurrence of VTE. C-section and ART procedures increased the risk of VTE by 4.2 times compared to that of the controls.
CONCLUSION
Placenta previa and PIH were significant risk factors for VTE, whereas the known traditional risk factors of increased age and GDM were not found to be associated with VTE.

Keyword

Venous thromboembolism; Pregnancy-induced hypertension; Gestational diabetes

MeSH Terms

Diabetes, Gestational
Female
Hospitals, General
Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced
Incidence
Logistic Models
Membranes
Odds Ratio
Placenta Previa
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Multiple
Pulmonary Embolism
Reproductive Techniques
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Rupture
Thrombosis
Veins
Venous Thromboembolism

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Odds ratios of risk factors for venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and the puerperium. GDM: gestational diabetes mellitus, PIH: pregnancy-induced hypertension, ART: assisted reproduction technology.

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