Successful surgical management of massive pulmonary embolism during the second trimester in a parturient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Cardiopulmonary bypass during pregnancy is associated with a high fetal and maternal mortality. We report a successful pulmonary embolectomy in a woman at the 27th week of pregnancy; we performed surgical pulmonary embolectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass to restore adequate hemodynamic stability and to relieve right ventricle strain. We discuss the decision made for the preferred anticoagulation drug in the setting of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the gravida. The pregnancy was carried to term and she delivered a healthy boy at 38 weeks of gestation. © 2010 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.