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Intrauterine irrigation with prostaglandin F2-alpha for management of severe postpartum hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Severe postpartum hemorrhage is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. The use of prostaglandin F2-alpha to control severe postpartum hemorrhage may avert surgery for the control of bleeding. METHODS: After ruling out the possibility of genital tract injuries, 18 patients with severe postpartum hemorrhage caused by uterine atony were enrolled in the study. None of the patients responded to treatment with oxytocin, methylergonovine, or uterine massage. A Foley catheter was introduced into the uterine cavity and the balloon was inflated with 5 ml sterile saline solution. The catheter was connected to an infusion line of 500 ml saline solution containing 20 mg prostaglandin F2-alpha. The solution was infused at a rate of 3-4 ml/minute for the first 10 min, and then reduced to 1 ml/minute for a period of 12 24 hours. RESULTS: In 17 patients (94.4%) bleeding ceased within several minutes of initiation of intrauterine prostaglandin F2-alpha infusion, the uterus was firmly contracted and uterine bleeding did not recur. In one patient with placenta increta bleeding continued and hysterectomy was performed. None of the patients had any side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Intrauterine irrigation with low concentrations of prostaglandin F2-alpha is a simple, rapid and effective treatment for severe postpartum hemorrhage and facilitates constant and continuous hemostasis. Moreover, the minute dosage used eludes potentially complicating side effects.

Dinoprost↗

The "tamponade test" in the management of massive postpartum hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Massive postpartum hemorrhage is a major cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States. To date there is no diagnostic test to identify those women with intractable hemorrhage who will need surgery. Delay in making this decision can be catastrophic. The successful use of the inflated stomach balloon of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube as a therapy for obstetric hemorrhage has been reported previously. Using the insertion of the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube as a diagnostic test has not been reported. An inflated Sengstaken-Blakemore balloon catheter creates tamponade and identifies those who will or will not need surgery. This is the basis for the "tamponade test." We evaluated the tamponade test in the management of women with massive postpartum hemorrhage. METHODS: In this prospective study, 16 cases of intractable postpartum hemorrhage were managed by the tamponade test. All 16 women had persistent bleeding despite the maximal and optimal application of conservative measures. Their condition deteriorated, such that surgical intervention was considered mandatory. It was at this predefined end point that the tamponade test was applied. RESULTS: Fourteen (87.5%) had a positive tamponade test result and therefore did not require surgery. Two (12.5%) had a negative test result and underwent laparotomy. CONCLUSION: This diagnostic test rapidly identifies those patients with postpartum hemorrhage who will require a laparotomy. Even when results are positive, life-threatening hemorrhage is arrested and time is also allowed to correct any consumptive coagulopathy.

Adult↗

Postpartum hemorrhage in developing countries: is the public health community using the right tools?

OBJECTIVES: To identify new and underutilized technologies that may assist in reducing maternal mortality due to obstetric hemorrhage. METHODS: Review of published and unpublished literature, including systematic reviews of randomized trials and individual clinical studies. RESULTS: Hemorrhage, primarily postpartum, accounts for approximately 25% of maternal deaths globally. Uterotonic drugs offer great promise for both prevention and management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Other technologies--such as anti-shock garments, umbilical vein injection of oxytocin, and simple anemia detection methods--represent potential new opportunities to reduce PPH-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and operational research is needed to answer remaining questions about misoprostol, the anti-shock garment, and umbilical vein injection of oxytocin for retained placenta. Efforts are needed to ensure the availability of technologies with proven value, such as oxytocin in Uniject prefilled injection devices. Equally important, technologies and techniques with proven efficacy--such as active management of third-stage labor and aortic compression--must be translated into general use by disseminating the evidence for them, incorporating them into national guidelines and training curricula, and ensuring the availability of supportive supplies and equipment.

Developing Countries↗

Reducing postpartum hemorrhage in Africa.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. This is being addressed by leading professional organizations, which point to the importance of a skilled attendant at birth. But they also emphasize that the active management of the third stage of labor is proven to reduce the incidence of PPH. In low-income settings, the prostaglandin misoprostol should be considered as it is low-cost, stable at room temperature and easy to administer.

Africa↗

[Transcatheter arterial embolization for postpartum hemorrhage].

A case of postpartum hemorrhage controlled by transcatheter arterial embolization is reported. The determination of the exact location of the bleeding vessel in postpartum hemorrhage may be difficult using angiography. Selective embolization is effective but the selection of the artery to embolize (internal iliac versus uterine artery) is still controversial.

Adult↗

Inner myometrial laceration causing a massive postpartum hemorrhage: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum hemorrhage has many well-established etiologies. It may also be secondary to an inner myometrial laceration, a less frequent and more difficult entity to diagnose. CASE: A 31-year-old, white woman, gravida 4, para 2012, at term underwent an uncomplicated spontaneous vaginal delivery. She gave birth to a 3,600-g female infant. An immediate massive postpartum hemorrhage ensued, unresponsive to medical therapy. No cervicovaginal lacerations or retained placental tissue was found. Uterine packing failed to control the bleeding. During laparotomy, exploration of the uterine cavity revealed a 4-cm, posterior and longitudinal inner myometrial laceration involving an actively bleeding large vessel. Repairing the laceration controlled the hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Inner myometrial lacerations must be considered in the differential diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage when all other commonly established causes have been excluded. During laparotomy and hysterotomy, evaluation and repair of an inner myometrial laceration controls the bleeding and avoids a hysterectomy.

Adult↗

Variations in the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage across hospitals in California.

OBJECTIVE: Because postpartum hemorrhage may result from factors related to obstetrical practice patterns, we examined the variability of postpartum hemorrhage and related risk factors (obstetrical trauma, chorioamnionitis, and protracted labor) across hospital types and hospitals in California. METHODS: Linked birth certificate and hospital discharge data from 507,410 births in California in 1997 were analyzed. Cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. Comparisons were made across hospital types and individual hospitals. Risk adjustments were made using 1) sample restriction to a subset of 324,671 low-risk women, and 2) Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression model to simultaneously quantify the effects of patient-level and hospital-level risk factors. RESULTS: Postpartum hemorrhage complicated 2.4% of live births. The incidence ranged from 1.6% for corporate hospitals to 4.9% for university hospitals in the full sample, and from 1.4% for corporate hospitals to 3.9% for university hospitals in the low-risk sample. Low-risk women who delivered at government, HMO and university hospitals had two- to threefold increased odds (odds ratios 1.98 to 2.71; 95% confidence sets ranged from 1.52 to 4.62) of having postpartum hemorrhage compared to women who delivered at corporate hospitals, irrespective of patient-level characteristics. They also had significantly higher rates of obstetrical trauma and chorioamnionitis. Greater variations were observed across individual hospitals. CONCLUSION: The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage and related risk factors varied substantially across hospital types and hospitals in California. Further studies using primary data sources are needed to determine whether these variations are related to the processes of care.

Bayes Theorem↗

Treatment of atonic postpartum hemorrhage with a prostaglandin E2 analogue.

Atonic postpartum hemorrhage constitutes a dramatic clinical situation, with acute danger to the life of the mother. The present report is a 3 yrs prospective study using a Prostaglandin E2 analogue (Sulprostone) in the management of 22 cases with severe postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony unresponsive to conventional therapy. Successful control of hemorrhage in cases of blood loss more than 1,500 ml occurred in 83 per cent. Precipitated labour was the most common predisposing factor encountered in this group of atonic postpartum hemorrhage. Side effects of the prostaglandin therapy was tolerable and self-limited. The use of intramuscular administered Sulprostone appears to be an adjunctive treatment in uncontrollable atonic postpartum hemorrhage.

Adult↗

[Initial management of primary postpartum hemorrhage].

Accurate management of primary postpartum hemorrhage requires perfect knowledge of a recent protocol accessible at all times. Staff members and equipment need to be adjusted to the emergency situation. The first step is to establish a rapid diagnosis. This could be done with collecting bags, placed immediately after the birth. Once the diagnosis has been established, it has to be communicated to the whole team including obstetricians, midwives and anesthetists. A search for the cause of the hemorrhage is premordial. Abdominal uterine palpation confirms the diagnosis of uterine atony, the most frequent cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Two management schemes are possible depending on whether or not there is retention of the placenta. When the placenta is retained, manual removal has to be performed to empty the uterine cavity and to rule out uterine rupture. After placental delivery, manual control of the uterine cavity is always required. Uterine massage has to be performed after the intrauterine manoeuvres and must not be stopped too quickly. Rapidly other origins can be excluded: episiotomy or low genital tract lacerations requiring rapid repair, coagulation disorders requiring specialised care, or hematomas. During the same time, uterotonic drugs have to be used. Oxytocin (intravenous injection of 5 to 10 IU) is generally employed. Prostaglandins cannot be proposed as publications reporting their efficiency are not validated. Meanwhile, the anesthetists will have begun the first measures of resuscitation.

Decision Trees↗

Use of a whole blood substitute, Fluosol-DA 20%, after massive postpartum hemorrhage.

Two patients with severe postpartum hemorrhage refused blood product transfusion for religious reasons. The patients' hemoglobin level had dropped to 3.0% or less after operative intervention, and the cardiac indexes on transfer to the tertiary care center were 8.0 and 7.3 L/minute per m2, respectively. Each received an infusion of Fluosol-DA 20% according to research protocol after obtaining informed written consent. Pulse rates and cardiac outputs dropped after the infusions. They were discharged from the hospital 17 and 15 days later with hemoglobins of 7.0 and 5.1%, respectively. Fluosol-DA 20% may be a useful adjunct for therapy of postpartum hemorrhage in women who refuse blood products for religious reasons.

Adult↗

Preventing postpartum hemorrhage: managing the third stage of labor.

Postpartum hemorrhage is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Most postpartum hemorrhages are caused by uterine atony and occur in the immediate postpartum period. Expectant or physiologic management of the third stage of labor has been compared with active management in several studies. Active management involves administration of uterotonic medication after the delivery of the baby, early cord clamping and cutting, and controlled traction of the umbilical cord while awaiting placental separation and delivery. Good evidence shows that active management of the third stage of labor provides a better balance of benefits and harms and should be practiced routinely to decrease the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Oxytocin, ergot alkaloids, and prostaglandins have been compared, as have timing and route of administration of these uterotonic medications. Oxytocin is the uterotonic agent of choice; it can be administered as 10 units intramuscularly or as 20 units diluted in 500 mL normal saline as an intravenous bolus, and can safely and effectively be given to the mother with the delivery of the baby or after the delivery of the placenta.

Delivery, Obstetric↗

The length of the third stage of labor and the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether the length of the third stage of labor is correlated with postpartum hemorrhage. METHODS: In this prospective observational study women delivering vaginally in a tertiary obstetric hospital were assessed for postpartum hemorrhage. All women were actively managed with the administration of oxytocin upon delivery of the anterior shoulder. Blood loss was measured at each delivery in collecting devices, and drapes and sheets were weighed to calculate the blood loss at each vaginal delivery. Postpartum hemorrhage was defined as more than 1,000 mL blood loss or hemodynamic instability related to blood loss requiring a blood transfusion. RESULTS: During a 24-month period there were 6,588 vaginal deliveries in a single tertiary obstetric hospital, and postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 335 of these (5.1%). The median length of the third stage of labor was similar in women having and those not having a postpartum hemorrhage. The risk of postpartum hemorrhage was significant at 10 minutes, odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.6-2.6; at 20 minutes, OR 4.3, 95% CI 3.3-5.5; and at 30 minutes OR 6.2, 95% CI 4.6-8.2. The best predictor for postpartum hemorrhage using receiver operating characteristic curves was 18 minutes. CONCLUSION: A third stage of labor longer than 18 minutes is associated with a significant risk of postpartum hemorrhage. After 30 minutes the odds of having postpartum hemorrhage are 6 times higher than before 30 minutes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Adult↗

Postpartum hemorrhage and arterial embolization.

Postpartum hemorrhage remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality for the obstetric patient. A timely, stepwise approach to management can reduce the negative impact of this complication. Improvements in pharmacotherapy and surgical techniques have also improved outcome. Uterine artery embolization is an especially promising approach to the management of severe or refractory obstetric hemorrhage which is generally underutilized but has several advantages over other more traditional techniques.

Decision Trees↗

Uterovaginal packing with rolled gauze in postpartum hemorrhage.

Management options for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) include oxytocics, prostaglandins, genital tract exploration, ligation or angiographic embolization of uterine/internal iliac arteries, and hysterectomy. After excluding uterine rupture, genital tract lacerations, and retained placental tissue, efforts are directed toward contracting the uterus by bimanual compression and oxytocics. If these are not successful, one must resort to surgical techniques. At this stage, an alternative option to remember is uterovaginal packing. Easy and quick to perform, it may be used to control bleeding by tamponade effect and stabilize the patient until a surgical procedure is arranged. Uterovaginal packing may sometimes obviate the need for surgery altogether. Two cases, a primary and a secondary PPH, managed recently with uterovaginal packing are reported. Despite concerns about concealed hemorrhage or the development of infection with this intervention, none of these problems were encountered, and uterine packing was successful even in the case of secondary PPH with documented infection.

Adult↗

[Anesthesiologists at the initial stage of postpartum hemorrhage].

Adequate management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) requires, after early recognition, four components undertaken simultaneously: communication, resuscitation, monitoring, investigating the cause of bleeding, arresting the bleeding. Early recognition of PPH relies on either a perceived or a quantified blood loss of 500-1000 ml and over (using a collecting bag), or the presence of clinical signs of shock (hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, altered mental status). Precise timing of the diagnosis of PPH must be must annotated. Once the diagnosis is established, appropriate senior professionals, including the anesthesiologist at the early stage, must be called in. The cornerstones of initial resuscitation are restoration of blood volume and oxygen carrying capacity, achieved, with adequate intravenous access, initially with cristalloids, followed by colloids, associated with oxygen by face mask. Initial resuscitation is performed and its efficiency is assessed by continuous monitoring, hemoglobin bedside tests (Hemocue), full blood count and clotting screen. Oxytocine (Syntocinon) efficacy and side-effects are evaluated by anesthesiologists. Adequate anesthetic technique must be performed to permit to the obstetricians to perform a diagnostic procedure (manual removal of placenta, uterine revision), and to most frequently obtain arrest of bleeding. Hemodynamic stability is required for loco-regional anesthesia, while on the other hand, general anesthesia with crush induction and intubation will be performed. Anesthesiologists must anticipate in case of failure of initial measures, including in alerting the blood transfusion service and calling for additional help.

Anesthesia, Obstetrical↗

Optimal management of postpartum hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To review the management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). METHODS: Fifteen cases of severe PPH were retrospectively analyzed for clinical parameters and management. RESULTS: Nine patients had a hysterectomy while selective arterial embolization was carried out in 7 cases. One patient had focus clearance. The main causes of postpartum hemorrhage requiring operative management were disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), uterine arteriovenous fistula and malformation, placental abnormality, uterine myoma and laceration. CONCLUSION: Upon recognition of postpartum hemorrhage, the most effective management should be initiated. Every effort should be made to stabilize the patient and maintain her reproductive capability.

Adult↗