Mothers Who Die after C-Section Due to Pulmonary Embolism Are Preventable Deaths

A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that of 95 maternal deaths after child birth almost 10% were caused by pulmonary embolism and could have been prevented with the appropriate medical care.

Pulmonary embolism also known as  PE occurs when a blood clot travels, usually from the veins of the leg, to the lungs.  A PE can be deadly and often has no symptoms until it is too late.  People who have undergone surgery or are otherwise immobile for long periods of time are at an increased risk to develop a blood clot in their legs or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).  Pregnant women are also at an increased risk of developing DVT's.

When a patient is at an increased risk of developing a DVT treaments can be given to prevent the blood clots from forming.  These treatments are know as "thrombolytic prophylaxis."  Thrombolytic prophylaxis can include having compression devices applied to the patient's legs while they are immobile or medicine such as heperin.  The study published in the AJOG concludes that all patients who undergo a cesarean section should be treated with compression devices.

If you are pregnant and going into the hospital to deliver a baby ask your doctor about thrombolytic prophylaxis.  And certainly if you are going to have cesarean section demand that your obstetrician order compression devises. 

If you believe that you or a family member developed a PE or DVT because the doctors failed to take proper actions to prevent a blood clot please call our law firm at 800-350-6161 or 412-471-4300.  Our lawyers and doctors have worked on many cases in Pittsburgh and throughout Western Pennsylvania involving PE's and DVT's.  The attorneys at Berger & Lagnese will find out whether your DVT or PE was preventable or caused by medical malpractice.