Anatomical location and timing of deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy and the postpartum period: A narrative literature review.

Anatomical location and timing of deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy and the postpartum period: A narrative literature review. | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 6 November 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Anatomical location and timing of deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy and the postpartum period: A narrative literature review. Authors : Sophie Couper , Peter Stone , Alys Clark , and S. Ali Mirjalili 0000-0002-1599-3573 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176242166.65709404/v1 Published Bratislava Medical Journal Version of record Peer review timeline 188 views 124 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Background: Pregnancy and the postpartum period are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which has become a leading cause of maternal mortality in developed countries. Physiological and anatomical changes in pregnancy may contribute to venous stasis and endothelial injury, predisposing women to deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Objectives: This review aimed to systematically evaluate the timing and anatomical location of DVT during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and to compare these findings with non-pregnant controls. Search Strategy: A systematic search of Medline and Embase (1980–December 2021) was undertaken using MeSH terms: (“pregnancy” OR “gestation” OR “puerperium”) AND (“venous thrombosis” OR “VTE” OR “DVT”). Reference lists of included articles were also hand-searched to identify additional relevant studies. Selection Criteria: Eligible studies were observational or retrospective, involved human subjects, were written in English, and required objective imaging confirmation of DVT. Studies limited to VTE, fertility treatment, or specific surgical populations were excluded. Data Collection and Analysis: Data on DVT timing, laterality, and anatomical distribution were extracted and tabulated. Owing to heterogeneity across studies, a narrative synthesis was undertaken rather than a meta-analysis. Main Results: Eighteen studies met inclusion criteria. DVT occurred more frequently in the left leg (Left 745 vs Right 216) and was predominantly proximal. The postpartum period, particularly the first six weeks after delivery, represented the highest risk interval. These patterns were not fully explained by uterine compression or gestational haemodynamic changes. Conclusions: Left-sided and proximal DVTs predominate in pregnancy and postpartum, with greatest risk immediately post-delivery. Further research into venous anatomical and flow dynamics is warranted. Supplementary Material File (dvt review final (bjog).docx) Download 425.08 KB File (figure 1.jpf) Download 252.68 KB File (figure 2.tif) Download 27.86 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 06 November 2025 Peer review timeline Published Bratislava Medical Journal Version of Record 2 Feb 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords adenomyosis: basic science adolescent gynaecology basic science Authors Affiliations Sophie Couper The University of Auckland Anatomy View all articles by this author Peter Stone The University of Auckland Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology View all articles by this author Alys Clark The University of Auckland Auckland Bioengineering Institute View all articles by this author S. Ali Mirjalili 0000-0002-1599-3573 [email protected] The University of Auckland Anatomy View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 188 views 124 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Sophie Couper, Peter Stone, Alys Clark, et al. Anatomical location and timing of deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy and the postpartum period: A narrative literature review.. Authorea . 06 November 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176242166.65709404/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. Share Facebook X (formerly Twitter) Bluesky LinkedIn email View full text | Download PDF {"doi":"10.22541/au.176242166.65709404/v1","type":"Article"} Now Reading: Share Figures Tables Close figure viewer Back to article Figure title goes here Change zoom level Go to figure location within the article Download figure Toggle share panel Toggle share panel Share Toggle information panel Toggle information panel Go to previous graphic Go to next graphic Go to previous table Go to next table All figures All tables View all material View all material xrefBack.goTo xrefBack.goTo Request permissions Expand All Collapse Expand Table Show all references SHOW ALL BOOKS Authors Info & Affiliations About FAQs Contact Us Directory RSS Back to top Powered by Research Exchange Preprints Help Terms Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences $(document).ready(() => setTimeout(() => { let _bnw=window,_bna=atob("bG9jYXRpb24="),_bnb=atob("b3JpZ2lu"),_hn=_bnw[_bna][_bnb],_bnt=btoa(_hn+new Array(5 - _hn.length % 4).join(" ")); $.get("/resource/lodash?t="+_bnt); },4000)); (function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'a0055a5bc90ef047',t:'MTc3OTU1Mjg1OQ=='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();