Abstract
Background: Thrombolytic agents have been used successfully to treat patients with massive pulmonary embolism and cardiorespiratory insufficiency, but experience with these drugs in pregnancy is limited. Case: A 20-year-old woman at 21 weeks' gestation was admitted with a massive pulmonary embolism. She was initially given intravenous heparin therapy but because of worsening clinical condition, urokinase was used. After two 12-hour periods of therapy, the urokinase was discontinued and the heparin restarted. She remained on subcutaneous heparin therapy for the remainder of her pregnancy, which was otherwise uncomplicated. She delivered a healthy male infant at term without complications and was discharged on warfarin therapy. Conclusion: Thrombolytic therapy can be life-saving and should be considered in the treatment of hemodynamicaily significant pulmonary embolism in pregnancy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 660-662 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Obstetrics and gynecology |
Volume | 86 |
Issue number | 4 PART 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1995 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology