# Management of Acute Saddle Pulmonary Embolism in Pregnancy Following Fetal Surgery

## TL;DR

A pregnant woman who had fetal surgery developed a severe blood clot in her lungs and was treated with emergency procedures.

## Contribution

Presents a rare case of managing a saddle pulmonary embolism during pregnancy following fetal surgery.

## Key findings

- Emergency aspiration thrombectomy and IVC filter placement successfully treated the pulmonary embolism.
- The patient had an uncomplicated cesarean delivery following treatment.
- The case highlights management challenges in pregnancy after fetal surgery.

## Abstract

A 33-year-old gravidity three parity three (G3P3) woman at 34 weeks of pregnancy underwent fetal surgery to repair an open lumbosacral myelomeningocele at 22 weeks gestation and experienced preterm premature rupture of membranes as a result. She developed a saddle pulmonary embolus with signs of right heart strain while on prolonged bed rest. She was treated emergently with aspiration thrombectomy and suprarenal inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement, followed by an uncomplicated cesarean delivery thereafter.