Abstract

Pulmonary embolism in the first trimester of pregnancy without a known medical history is a very rare complication, which if it is misdiagnosed and left untreated leads to sudden pregnancy-related death. The sings and symptoms in this trimester are no specific. The causes for pulmonary embolism are multifactorial but in the first trimester of pregnancy, the most important causes are hereditary factors. Many times the pregnant woman ignores her familiar hereditary history and her hemostatic system is progressively activated for the hemostatic challenge of pregnancy and delivery. The hemostatic changes produce enhance coagulation and formation of micro-thrombi or thrombi and prompt diagnosis is crucial to prevent and treat pulmonary embolism saving the lives of a pregnant woman and her fetus.

Keywords

Pregnancy, Pulmonary embolism, Mortality, Diagnosis, Risk factors, Arterial blood gases, Electrocardiogram, Ventilation perfusion scan, Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram, Magnetic resonanance, Compression ultrasonography, Echocardiogram, D-dimers, Troponin, Brain natriuretic peptide, Foetal radiation, Radiation exposure, Thrombolysis, heparin, Low molecular weight heparin, Anticoagulant, Prevention, Thromboprophylaxis