A caesarean section (CS) is a major risk factor for a venous thromboembolism, and enoxaparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, has been widely used for thromboprophylaxis. However, it remains unclear whether an enoxaparin thromboprophylaxis has an acceptable safety profile when given early after CS compared to delayed administration, especially in the presence of an epidural catheter. This study aimed to survey cases in which enoxaparin administration was performed within 24 hours of CS and to evaluate patient outcomes with or without epidural anaesthesia. The number of eligible cases were 578: 328 patients received an epidural anaesthesia (epidural group), and 250 did not (non-epidural group). In both groups, no patient developed a spinal epidural haematoma. A wound or a subcutaneous bleeding occurred in 22 (6.7%) and 20 (8.0%) cases in the epidural and non-epidural groups, respectively. One patient developed a mild pulmonary embolism, and one case of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis was detected. An enoxaparin administration within 24 hours of CS appears to be reasonable, regardless of an epidural anaesthesia. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? A venous thromboembolism (VTE) after a caesarean section (CS) remains a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, a thromboprophylaxis using enoxaparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, has been widely recommended and accepted. However, there is no consensus regarding the optimal timing to initiate an enoxaparin administration after CS in the presence of an epidural catheter. What do the results of this study add? This is the largest study that has collected cases receiving enoxaparin within 24 hours of a CS. Irrespective of the presence of an epidural catheter, no patient developed a spinal epidural haematoma after an early administration of enoxaparin. Furthermore, the incidence of haemorrhagic complications did not increase. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Given the significant incidence of VTE after CS and the extremely low frequency of spinal epidural haematomas, it can be justified to initiate thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin soon after CS. However, appropriately designed, large clinical trials are necessary to examine the safety and efficacy of an early enoxaparin administration after CS. Based on such studies, the starting time of thromboprophylaxis after a CS should be decided.
Keywords: Venous thromboembolism; caesarean section; deep vein thrombosis; enoxaparin; pulmonary embolism.