PV and pregnancy

 Q: 32 year old female with a past medical history of Polycythemia Vera (PV) is admitted to ICU after a complication in her first pregnancy with abruptio placentae. You should inform the patient that pregnancy is highly contraindicated in PV? (select one)

A) True

B) False

Answer: B

Despite an increased risk of complications in pregnancy such as miscarriages, abruptio placentae, pre-eclampsia, and intrauterine growth retardation, pregnancy is not a contraindication in patients with PV. A low dose aspirin decreases the rate of pregnancy loss. Patients should be closely monitored throughout the pregnancy. The European LeukemiaNet recommends the target hematocrit either less than 45% or the normal midgestation hematocrit range, whichever is lower. If cytoreduction is needed Interferon alfa is the preferred agent in pregnant women with PV.

#Ob-gyn

#hematology-oncology

References:

1. Barbui T, Barosi G, Birgegard G, et al. Philadelphia-negative classical myeloproliferative neoplasms: critical concepts and management recommendations from European LeukemiaNet. J Clin Oncol 2011; 29:761. 

2. Aggarwal N, Chopra S, Suri V, et al. Polycythemia vera and pregnancy: experience of four pregnancies in a single patient. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2011; 283:393. 

3. Maze D, Kazi S, Gupta V, et al. Association of Treatments for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms During Pregnancy With Birth Rates and Maternal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e1912666.