International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2019
Case ReportsAnaesthetic implications of a patient with cold-induced anaphylaxis presenting to the labour ward.
Cold contact urticaria is a well described condition, with reactions ranging from localised wheals to systemic and anaphylactic reactions. Case reports involving anaesthetic care are rare. ⋯ She subsequently had an uneventful instrumental delivery following an epidural 'top-up'. This report focuses on the anaesthetic implications of her condition.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2019
Interprofessional provider attitudes toward the initiation of epidural analgesia in the laboring patient: are we all on the same page?
The timing of initiation of neuraxial labor analgesia should ultimately depend on patient preference although obstetricians, anesthesiologists and nurses may influence decision-making. We hypothesized that provider groups would have similar attitudes toward the timing of epidural placement, but some identifiable differences could be used to improve understanding and communication among providers. ⋯ There were differences between providers in factors that may impact the timing of epidural placement and in their self-perceived familiarity with epidural management. These present an opportunity for furthering interprofessional education and collaboration.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2019
ReviewManagement of postpartum haemorrhage: from research into practice, a narrative review of the literature and the Cardiff experience.
Collins et al share their insights from 10 years of Cardiff research and pragmatic clinical experience managing postpartum hemorrhage.
Why is this important?
PPH incidence is increasing globally and is still the number one cause of maternal death. Many routine PPH transfusion practices are dogmatic and based upon non-pregnant trauma data. Applicability to PPH is at best questionable.
Of interest they note:
- The utility of fibrinogen measurement as an early indicator of coagulopathy and severe PPH, especially <2 g/L.
- The value of point-of-care testing, such as with ROTEM®.
- The typical maintenance of normal PT & APTT until 4-5 L of blood loss, unlike fibrinogen which was abnormal after ~2 L loss.
- The rarity of needing to replace factors other than fibrinogen even in severe PPH. FFP can usually be safely withheld in moderate-to-severe PPH when POCT is available.
- The value of fibrinogen concentrate over cryoprecipitate, although without value in pre-emptive formulaic treatment.
- The value and practicality of measuring blood loss versus estimation.
The take-away: Plasma fibrinogen is generally a more important target than PT or APTT in most PPH cases. (Placental abruption is an important exception.)
Interesting physiological tidbit... because normal term fibrinogen is 4 g/L and FFP fibrinogen is 2 g/L, undirected FFP transfusion in PPH could theoretically contribute to dilutional hypofibrinogenemia.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2019
Observational StudyUterotonic drug usage in Canada: a snapshot of the practice in obstetric units of university-affiliated hospitals.
The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of uterotonic drug usage in obstetric units of university-affiliated hospitals in Canada. ⋯ There is a lack of a unified approach to the use of uterotonic drugs for postpartum hemorrhage management in Canada. To improve the management of postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony, an evidence-based approach to usage and consensus between obstetricians and anesthesiologists is warranted.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2019
Case ReportsSpinal anesthesia performed for cesarean delivery after external ventricular drain placement in a parturient with symptomatology from an intracranial mass.
We describe a case in which spinal anesthesia was undertaken in a pregnant patient with a space-occupying tumor and significant symptomatology. The collaborative efforts of all medical disciplines involved and the willingness of the neurosurgeon to discuss and help determine the safety of neuraxial anesthesia, culminated in placing an external ventricular drain to help monitor and manage intracranial pressure, so that we could proceed with spinal anesthesia and more easily monitor neurologic status.