Pulmonary Embolism in a COVID-19-Positive Primigravida After Caesarean Section Despite Prophylaxis

Kripalani, Y.; Parulekar, L.

The prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in COVID-19 patients is higher than in non-COVID-19 patients. Since the beginning of the pandemic, deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke and pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported in patients with COVID-19. D-dimer levels are now routinely measured in hospitalized patients so that prophylaxis can be initiated. However, a standardized protocol for prophylaxis has yet to be developed for pregnant women with COVID-19, who have an increased risk of VTE. We describe the case of a young primigravida woman with a positive COVID RT-PCR test who developed PE despite receiving adequate prophylaxis. LEARNING POINTS: COVID-19 patients may develop venous thromboembolism (VTE) and so adequate prophylaxis should be provided.VTE may still develop despite adequate prophylaxis, especially in patients at high risk.A standardized prophylactic protocol to prevent VTE in pregnant women should be developed to reduce mortality before and after caesarean section.