This report presents findings from two state-
based pregnancy-related reviews of deaths due to pulmon-
ary embolism to describe prevalence, risk factors, and
timing of symptoms and fatal events (N
=
46). We exam-
ined the utility of state-based maternal mortality review
teams as a means to gain more complete data on maternal
deaths from which guidelines for prevention and interven-
tion can be developed. The Florida Pregnancy-Associated
Mortality Review Team and Virginia Maternal Mortality
Review Team collaborated on findings from 9 years of
pregnancy-related mortality review conducted in each state.
Pregnancy-related deaths due to pulmonary embolism
occurring within 42 days of pregnancy between 1999 and
2007 in Florida and Virginia were identified. Retrospective
review of records was conducted to obtain data on timing of
the fatal event in relation to the pregnancy, risk factors, and
the presence and timing of symptoms suggestive of pul-
monary embolism. Forty-six cases of pregnancy-related
death due to pulmonary embolism were identified. The
combined pregnancy-related mortality ratio (PRMR) was