THROMBOEMBOLIC DISORDERS

Hemostasis is defined as the process of clot formation that occurs within an injured blood vessel. The fibrinolytic system is essential for the breakdown and removal of clots from the circulation. A balance between clot formation and clot dissolution is maintained by the hemostatic and fibrinolytic systems. Thrombosis is a pathological condition characterized by the formation of a clot (thrombus) within the vascular system, leading to impaired blood flow and potential tissue ischemia. The coagulation cascade is initiated following endothelial injury. Upon activation of thrombin, fibrinogen is converted to fibrin, resulting in hemostasis. After the thrombus has fulfilled its physiological function, fibrinolytic activity should be initiated, leading to the removal of the existing thrombus. However, abnormalities in the fibrinolytic pathway may result in excessive clot formation, and if such a clot dislodges and enters the circulation, it may cause embolism. The risk of thromboembolism is increased during pregnancy. While arterial thromboembolism is rare, venous thromboembolism is more common and may lead to pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embo-lism is a serious condition that can be life-threatening and lead to maternal mortality if timely diag-nosis and appropriate treatment are not provided; according to World Health Organization data from 2009–2020, it accounts for approximately 7% of maternal deaths, therefore the prevention of pregnan-cy-associated thromboembolism is of great importance.