What are the potential complications of using anticoagulant therapy during pregnancy?
The use of anticoagulant therapy during pregnancy is challenging because of the potential for both fetal and maternal complications. Pregnancy-induced changes in hemostasis lead to a state of hypercoagulability, so in a woman with AF at risk of stroke/thromboembolism in the non-pregnant state, pregnancy will increase this risk threefold to fourfold.421,422 VKAs cross the placenta and have the potential to cause fetal wastage, bleeding in the fetus, and teratogenicity.