Evaluation of a Preventive Therapeutic Strategy for Postpartum Venous Thromboembolism in Women With Genetic Risk Factor

Plain-language summary

Background : pregnancy and postpartum period are times of increased risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The incidence of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) during pregnancy is estimated at 1-2 per 1,000, and this risk increases in the postpartum period, rising up to 80-fold. VTE is a multifactorial condition, and several studies have identified risk factors for DVT during this period. These factors may be related to the patient herself-such as age, overweight, smoking, a personal or family history of DVT, and/or thrombophilia. Factors related to the pregnancy itself and peripartum events-such as preeclampsia, multiple pregnancy, the mode of delivery (emergency or elective cesarean section), and postpartum hemorrhage-have also been identified as DVT risk factors. Resistance to activated protein C caused by the Factor V Leiden mutation affects about 5% of the population and, in its heterozygous form, increases the risk of VTE by 3- to 10-fold depending on the study, raising the absolute risk to approximately 1 in 400. The heterozygous mutation of the prothrombin (Factor II) gene affects about 2% of the population and increases the risk of VTE threefold. However, although the risk is increased, the absolute risk of VTE remains low (0.5 to 1%). Regarding prevention, recommendations are heterogeneous and often based on a low level of evidence. In certain situations (e.g., history of provoked thrombosis, moderate thrombophilia), prophylaxis is not always recommended, or its duration is not clearly defined, and the benefit-risk balance remains uncertain. The main objective of this study is to describe the duration of anticoagulation prescribed after delivery according to the characteristics of patients carrying these mutations and their mode of delivery. The secondary composite objective is to compare two treatment durations (less than 2 weeks vs. 6 weeks) to determine whether a shorter treatment is less effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis, and whether a longer treatment is associated with more adverse effects. The target population therefore consisted of adult women carrying an asymptomatic heterozygous mutation of Factor V or Factor II, who had been followed up or had consulted at the Hospices Civils de Lyon for obstetric or hematologic evaluation related to this mutation. Investigators extracted health data of the included patients from the Hospices Civils de Lyon medical software. They also contacted patients by phone to complete data collection, particularly to determine whether they had experienced a deep vein thrombosis within 12 weeks after delivery, or any adverse effects related to anticoagulant therapy.

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