Abstract

Patients with severe COVID-19 may progress to coagulopathy, which is characterized by thrombocytopenia, prolonged PT and aPTT, elevated D-dimer and decreased fibrinogen. Pregnancy itself is also a hypercoagulable state with higher risk of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), especially after the placental expulsion and the postpartum period, where clotting activity is at its highest. Pregnancy is associated with almost 3 times the risk of thrombotic complications. Despite both acute and chronic complications of VTE, the importance and management of VTE in the context of COVID-19 infections in pregnant women has not been described well. This review was conducted to provide insight into pathophysiology of COVID-19 disease in the context of postpartum period and its clinical implications. Herein, we discuss the underlying pathogenesis of VTE and thrombotic incidences in patients with ongoing SARS-CoV-2 infections and provide strategies to limit morbidity and mortality in the management of these subset of patients in clinical settings.

Keywords: Coagulopathy; Thrombosis; SARS-CoV-2; Pregnancy; Parturition