Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a multifaceted disorder which can manifest in a number of different ways. It is characterized by conglomeration of capillary malformations, cutaneous vascular nevi, bony or soft tissue hypertrophy, and abnormal deep or superficial veins. Varicose veins usually affect limbs but sometimes they can also be present in abdominal or intrapelvic organs. The morbility of this disease is related to vascular anomalies, which can end in venous insufficiency, thrombophlebitis, cellulite, limb disparity and thromboembolic disease.

The KTS occurs sporadically although it has sometimes appeared in more than one member of the same fam- ily. KTS incidence during pregnancy is unknown but it is extremely rare. Pregnancy can increase complications, mainly thromboembolic and haemorrhagic events.

We present a case of a pregnant woman with diagnosis of KTS complicated by the personal antecedents of two episodes of pulmonary thromboembolism.

We reported the case of a 31-year-old primigravid woman who has suffered from SKT since her childhood.

She suffers from SKT, with affection of left leg (Figure 1) and a mild-moderate mitral regurgitation that has not required treatment.

Also, she has had two episodes of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) six and two years ago. After the first PTE, she was prescribed anticoagulant therapy for six months. Two years after the suspension of the therapy, a new PTE occurred. So, she was prescribed anticoagulant therapy indefinitely.

She does not have any drug allergies and has not had any previous surgery. Regarding her gynecological history, she had menarche at 13, with a regular menstrual cycle.

Preconceptional counseling was made. Thrombophilia study was performed but the results were normal. During the pregnancy, ultrasound and analytic tests were normal. Colour Doppler flow was normal in the fetus. There was only one complication: the swelling of her right leg. It was treated with a permanent elastic compres- sion stocking. Hypotension and loss of consciousness happens when the patient retires the elastic compression while she is standing up. She has to cleanse herself in a seated position.

She was on treatment with sodic bemiparine 20,000 UI/24hours until week 35 of gestational age. At this moment, the dose was lowered to sodic bemiparine 10.000 UI/24hours.

At Week 39 of gestational age, elective cesarean was made because of fetal malposition. A male baby was born; he weighed 2980 gr., Apgar test: 8 and 9 after 1 and 5 minutes. Epidural anesthetic did not cause any complications.

During the surgery, there were not any complication and we did not observe any intra abdominal vascular malformation.

There were no problems in the postpartum period and the different types of tests done gave a normal result. The patient was treated with sodic bemiparine 10.000 UI/24hours.

Six months later, complications have not been observed. She uses condoms for contraception.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a congenital vascular disorder which has low frequency (<1:10.000) [1] . In about 1% of cases of KTS, a genetic pattern has been described, but the gene has not yet been identified [2] .

The presence of this disease can cause severe varicose capillary malformations in other members of the same family. In some cases, KTS is associated with the presence of hemangiomas in the patient’s family.

KTS is characterized by conglomeration of capillary malformations, cutaneous vascular nevi, bony or soft

tissue hypertrophy, and abnormal deep or superficial veins. At least two over three main symptoms (Portwines- tains, varicosity, and hypertrophy of soft tissues and bones) must be present for the diagnosis KTS.

The morbidity of the disease is associated with vascular anomalies. This is related to rectal haemorrhage, haematuria or perioperative bleeding in surgeries that compromise intra-abdominal organs [3] . Furthermore anesthetic management in these cases can be rather complicated [4] .

The first case was described by Maurice Klippel and Paul Trenaunay in 1900 [5] . They called the disease naevus vasculosus osteohypertrophicus. The diagnostic criteria are capillary malformations, venous malforma- tions and/or varicosities, and hypertrophy of the bone or soft tissues in one or more extremity. Later, Frederick Parkes Weber reported other cases with the same clinical findings associated with deep arteriorvenous fistula.

These cases are referred to as Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome. Today, KTS is defined by the presence of a combined vascular malformation of the capillaries, veins, and lymphatics with congenital venous abnormali- ties and limb hypertrophy. It is distinguished from Weber syndrome in which an arteriovenous malformation with a cutaneous capillary malformation and skeletal or soft tissue hypertrophy occurs.

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome is a pure low flow condition, while Parkes Weber syndrome is characterized by significant arteriovenous fistulas [6] .

The etiology of the syndrome is unknown. Several theories have been proposed including abnormalities of the sympathic nerve system resulting in dilatation of the arteriovenous anastomosis or obstruction of the deep veins and persistence of fetal microscopic small arterioveneous anastomosis [7] .

KTS is extremely rare in pregnant women and about twenty cases have been described. It puts a pregnant woman at increased obstetric risk and can increase complications, mainly thromboembolic and haemorrhagic events [8] .

KTS is a high risk obstetric situation and we have to be aware of maternal and fetal complications. Also, we have to choose the best way of delivery and intrapartum analgesia [9] . The normal physiologic changes of preg- nancy, such as increased venous pressure, leg edema, venous stasis, and cardiac output, exacerbate the problems of this syndrome and increase the risk of adverse events during pregnancy such as thromboembolism and hae- morrhage [10] . Colour Doppler flow can display eventual uterine affectation, possibly complicating caesarean.

Coagulopathy is the most frequently reported complication during pregnancy in women with KTS, including deep venous thrombosis and other tromboembolic problems both during and after delivery. It is considered that the risk is 10 times higher than in the normal population. In spite of this, there are no prospective trials on the use of anticoagulants and during pregnancy in this syndrome.

If the patient had a thromboembolic even in the past, as in the presented case, the use of anticoagulants agents is indicated [11] .

Different reports on prenatal diagnosis of KTS in fetuses have been published [12] . The fetus should be checked for prenatal diagnosis of limb hypertrophy or multiloculated cystic lesions, which can be easily per- formed by colour Doppler flow [13] . Sometimes this syndrome has been related to intrauterine growth restric- tion [14] . Although this syndrome is considered a sporadic disease, some hereditary cases may occur.

A gynaecological examination should be made before choosing the best way of delivering in order to discard the presence of varicose veins in uterine cervix or vaginal wall, which could contraindicate vaginal delivery. Except for this, the delivery way is chosen according to obstetric characteristics. Cesarean section can lead to further complications due to the existence of varicose uterine or abdominal wall [15] .

Epidural anaesthetic is the best option during labor. The presence of neuraxial vascular anomalies and coagu- lopathy can increase the risk of epidural hematoma. Some authors avoid epidural anaesthetic in these patients because of the high risk of epidural hematoma, but others recommend serial studies of hemostasis and a mag- netic resonance prior to delivery to detect angiodysplastic vascular structures next to the spinal cord [16] .

The management of these patients needs a multidisciplinary approach between gynecologist, anesthesiologist, hematologist and vascular surgeon. Thoughtful preconceptional counseling, along with methodical and syste- matic intrapartum and postpartum care are keys to reducing mortality and morbidity.