Pulmonary Embolism Associated with Hyperemesis Gravidarum Two Case Reports

Pulmonary embolism is a major cause of death during pregnancy or the puerperium. The hemostatic changes in pregnancy creates a prothrombotic milieu. Hyperemesis gravidarum  is one of the recognised risk factors for venous tromboembolism.Two cases of maternal mortality were attributed to  PE associated with severe hyperemesis gravidarum in 2014 in Turkey. These two cases have been reported and discussed in the literature review. We aimed to alert clinicians that thromboprophylaxis should be considered when a pregnant woman suffers vomiting leading to clinical evidence of dehydration

Maternal mortality cases from pulmonary embolism: A nation-wide study in Turkey

The aim of the study was to evaluate the maternal mortality cases attributed to pulmonary embolism (PE). PE constituted 7.58% of maternal deaths in 2013. Risk factors for PE were present in 15 (88.2%) of the women. Five women (29.4%) were overweight, and 5 (29.4%) were obese. Four women (23.5%) had cardiac diseases. PE occurred in the postpartum period after caesarean delivery in 9 (52.9%) patients. Eleven (64.7%) of the maternal deaths were recognised as preventable. More deaths attributed to PE occurred in the postpartum period (n = 11) than the antepartum period (n = 5). One other maternal mortality case was after therapeutic abortion. Caesarean section, obesity and cardiac diseases were important risk factors. It can be suggested that monitoring all risk factors and timely recognition of related symptoms and signs with initiation of appropriate management have paramount importance for reducing maternal mortality rate related to pulmonary embolism. Increasing awareness of healthcare professionals as well as the public, and continuously reviewing the cases are also important tools for achieving this goal