Audit of thromboprophylaxis following caesarean section.

Venous thromboembolism is the most common cause of death in pregnant women and delivery by caesarean section increases the risk of developing venous thromboembolism. In 1995 the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) issued guidelines for thromboprophylaxis following caesarean section. We have performed an audit of compliance with these guidelines in our unit. Of 240 women who were delivered by caesarean section over a six month period, 62.9% and 20.4% fell into moderate and high risk groups for venous thromboembolism according to RCOG guidelines. Overall, 34 (17%) of 200 eligible women received thromboprophylaxis. Women undergoing an emergency caesarean section were just over twice aslikely to have had no thromboprophylaxis compared with those undergoing an elective caesarean section (OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.2 - 5.9).