International guidelines recommend risk assessment during the antepartum and postpartum period to inform VTE prophylaxis. We aimed to evaluate physicians’ approach to VTE prophylaxis of women with chronic physical disability (CPD) during pregnancy.
Methods
A cross-sectional study consisting of a self-administered electronic questionnaire was sent to specialists across Canada.
Results
Seventy-three participants responded to the survey, and 55 (75.3%) completed the survey including 33 (60%) Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialists and 22 (40%) Internal Medicine (IM) specialists including physicians with an interest in Obstetric Medicine. Our study shows considerable variation in VTE thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy with CPD. Most respondents favoured antepartum (67.3%) and postpartum (65.5%) VTE prophylaxis for pregnancies within a year of spinal cord injury.
Conclusions
In order to better manage this complex population, CPD should be considered as a risk factor for development of VTE.
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