International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Recent advances in the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and understanding of preeclampsia-related morbidity provide opportunities to optimize clinical management of the mother and fetus. These discoveries are timely, as contemporary data suggest that the prevalence of preeclampsia, affecting 7.5% of pregnancies globally and 2-5% in the USA, has increased by up to 30% over the last decade. Managing pregnant patients with preeclampsia can be challenging for all members of the obstetric care team due to the disease's multi-organ system maternal and fetal effects. This review presents recent updates in the definition of preeclampsia, etiology, comorbidities and therapeutic interventions and discusses how they impact the care of these high-risk patients.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Aug 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialPencil-point needle bevel direction influences ED50 of isobaric ropivacaine with fentanyl in spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery: a prospective, double-blind sequential allocation study.
There is little evidence on the influence of bevel direction of a pencil-point needle on the median effective dose (ED50) of isobaric ropivacaine and fentanyl in spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. ⋯ The orientation of the distal aperture of a 26-gauge Whitacre needle during induction of spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery influences the ED50 of 0.75% ropivacaine.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Aug 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of co-administration of intravenous calcium chloride and oxytocin on maternal hemodynamics and uterine tone following cesarean delivery: a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Oxytocin administration to prevent uterine atony following cesarean delivery is associated with adverse effects including hypotension, tachycardia, and nausea. Calcium chloride increases mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and uterine smooth muscle contractility. This study evaluated whether the co-administration of calcium chloride with oxytocin following cesarean delivery could alter maternal hemodynamics. Secondary outcomes included uterine tone and blood loss. ⋯ The decrease in blood pressure associated with oxytocin administration following cesarean delivery was not attenuated with co-administration of calcium chloride at the doses evaluated. Vasopressor use, uterine tone, and blood loss were also unaffected.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Aug 2015
Anesthetic management of super-morbidly obese parturients for cesarean delivery with a double neuraxial catheter technique: a case series.
Parturients with super-morbid obesity, defined as body mass index greater than 50kg/m(2), represent a growing segment of patients who require anesthetic care for labor and delivery. Severe obesity and its comorbid conditions place the parturient and fetus at greater risk for pregnancy complications and cesarean delivery, as well as surgical and anesthetic complications. The surgical approach for cesarean delivery in these patients may require a supra-umbilical vertical midline incision due to a large pannus. ⋯ All patients had satisfactory postoperative analgesia with a thoracic epidural infusion. None suffered postoperative respiratory complications or postdural puncture headache. The use of a continuous lumbar spinal catheter and a low thoracic epidural provides several advantages in the anesthetic management of super-morbidly obese parturients for cesarean delivery.