Massive Pulmonary Embolism During Pregnancy Successfully Treated With Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Women are at increased risk for DVT and PE during pregnancy for several reasons. Preg-nancy is a thrombophilic state; fibrinogen levels are increased, and during the final trimester thereis a decrease in fibrinolytic activity. In addition, the gravid uterus causes compression and stasis inthelowerextremitiesandpelvicveinsfavoringthrombosis.