International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · May 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialSafety and effectiveness of alveolar recruitment maneuvers and positive end-expiratory pressure during general anesthesia for cesarean section: a prospective, randomized trial.
During cesarean section, the supine position reduces functional residual capacity and worsens lung compliance. We tested the hypothesis that alveolar recruitment maneuvers and positive end-expiratory pressure improve lung compliance in women undergoing general anesthesia for cesarean section. ⋯ Compared to standard care, the alveolar recruitment maneuver with positive end-expiratory pressure and low tidal volumes appears safe and effective in improving lung compliance and both intraoperative and postoperative oxygenation in women undergoing general anesthesia for elective cesarean section.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · May 2017
Case ReportsSuccessful provision of inter-hospital extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for acute post-partum pulmonary embolism.
Mortality during pregnancy in a well-resourced setting is rare, but acute pulmonary embolism is one of the leading causes. We present the successful use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) in a 22-year old woman who experienced cardiopulmonary collapse following urgent caesarean section in the setting of a sub-massive pulmonary embolus. Resources and personnel to perform eCPR were not available at the maternity hospital and were recruited from an adjacent pediatric hospital. ⋯ The patient was transferred to an adult unit where she remained on ECMO for five days. She was discharged home with normal cognitive function. This case highlights the role ECMO plays in providing extracorporeal respiratory or mechanical circulatory support in a high risk obstetric patient.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · May 2017
Case ReportsCaesarean delivery in a pregnant woman with epidermolysis bullosa: anaesthetic challenges.
Epidermolysis bullosa is a heterogeneous group of hereditary diseases characterised by extreme fragility of skin and mucosa, with blister and lesion formation spontaneously or in response to trauma. Anaesthetic management of these patients is challenging with respect to positioning, monitoring, use of medical devices and airway management. These challenges are increased when managing labour. We report an elective caesarean delivery in a nulliparous woman with autosomal recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, managed successfully with spinal anaesthesia.