International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2018
Airway changes following labor and delivery in preeclamptic parturients: a prospective case control study.
Preeclampsia is associated with greater narrowing of the airway than normal pregnancy, but it is not known if these changes worsen during labor and delivery. The aim of the study was to evaluate the airway during and after labor in women with or without preeclampsia. ⋯ Airway sonography may provide useful bedside anatomical information for prediction of difficult laryngoscopy. The change in airway dimensions and the Mallampati score during labor may persist for 48 h postpartum in both groups. Those with prolonged labor are more susceptible to changes in airway dimensions.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialPreoperative anterior thigh temperature does not correlate with perioperative temporal hypothermia during cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia: Secondary analysis of a randomized control trial.
Core-to-peripheral redistribution of heat, secondary to sympathetic-mediated vasodilation, is the major mechanism leading to early perioperative hypothermia after neuraxial anesthesia. The study aim was to determine if preoperative anterior thigh (peripheral lower extremity) temperature predicted perioperative temporal (core) temperature decrease during cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia. ⋯ Preoperative anterior thigh temperature does not correlate with the degree of perioperative temporal temperature decrease, likelihood of developing hypothermia, shivering, or thermal comfort during cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia. Although core-to-peripheral redistribution of heat after neuraxial anesthesia is a major mechanism of perioperative heat loss, a lower extremity temperature prediction hypothesis was not confirmed in this population.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2018
Review Case ReportsAnaesthetic management of pregnant patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: case reports and review.
Heart disease is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Pregnant women with structural, conduction or degenerative cardiac disease who require rhythm control or who are at high risk of sudden cardiac death may carry a cardiac implantable electronic device or may occasionally require the insertion of one during their pregnancy. These women are now encountered more frequently in clinical practice, and it is essential that a multidisciplinary approach, beginning from the early antenatal phase, be adopted in their counselling and management. ⋯ Of particular importance is the potential adverse effect of electromagnetic interference, which may cause device malfunction or damage, and the precautions required to reduce this risk. The ultimate goal in the management of this patient subgroup is to minimise the disruption to cardiovascular physiology that may occur near the time of labour and delivery and to control the factors that impact on device integrity and function. We present the ante- and peripartum management of two pregnant women with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, followed by a review and update of the anaesthetic management of parturients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2018
Case ReportsPulmonary and laryngeal tuberculosis in a 25-weeks' gestation parturient, diagnosed after failed tracheal intubation.
A pregnant woman at 25weeks of gestation was diagnosed with laryngeal tuberculosis following a failed intubation for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Laryngeal tuberculosis represents approximately 1% of all cases of tuberculosis in the United States and presents a unique diagnostic challenge, because accompanying laryngeal changes are both varied and nonspecific. This report highlights both the challenges of the pregnant airway and the diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal tuberculosis.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2018
Review Case ReportsThe need for an epidural "window of opportunity" in pregnant women with a lumbar tattoo.
Pregnant women with lower back tattoos who wish to have an epidural placed during labour pose a dilemma to anesthesiologists. Clear guidelines have not been established. We reviewed the epidural risks in pregnant women with low back tattoos and have suggested precautionary measures to minimise them. Given the limited information available, and in the absence of a clear evidence-based medical contraindication, an epidural technique should not be excluded in those women with a lower back tattoo.