Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology
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Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) persists as a leading cause of maternal death worldwide, and in the United States, most maternal deaths due to hemorrhage are deemed preventable. While essential preparations for hemorrhage include protocols and checklists, implementation science has revealed that it is not enough to merely introduce these tools into units. Simulation affords safe opportunities for practice and produces reliable behavior change, and it does not always need to be highly expensive and resource consuming. We review how simulation can be applied to address a unit's vulnerabilities in identifying, managing, and resolving PPH, as well as considerations for crafting a comprehensive simulation program for your unit.
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Postpartum/peripartum hemorrhage (PPH) is an obstetric emergency complicating 1-10% of all deliveries and is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, the incidence of PPH differs widely according to the definition and criteria used, the way of measuring postpartum blood loss, and the population being studied with the highest numbers in developing countries. ⋯ A consensus clinical definition of PPH is needed to enable awareness, early recognition, and initiation of appropriate intensive treatment. Unfortunately, the most used definition of PPH based on blood loss ≥500 ml after delivery suffers from inaccuracies in blood loss quantification and is not clinically relevant in most cases, as the amount of blood loss does not fully reflect the severity of bleeding.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2022
ReviewRisk assessment tools to predict postpartum hemorrhage.
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, and accurate risk assessments may allow providers to anticipate and prevent serious hemorrhage-related adverse events. Multiple category-based tools have been developed by national societies through expert consensus, and these tools assign low, medium, or high risk of hemorrhage based on a review of each patient's risk factors. ⋯ However, there are no published studies demonstrating external validation or successful clinical use of such models. Future work should include refinement of these models, study of best practices for implementation, and ultimately linkage of prediction to improved patient outcomes.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2022
ReviewProtocol for postpartum haemorrhage including massive transfusion.
Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is one of the most common causes of maternal mortality worldwide. Management of PPH depends on the severity of bleeding. If the bleeding is severe, aorta compression can reduce bleeding. ⋯ During severe ongoing bleeding, haemostasis care includes early tranexamic acid, transfusion in ratio 4:4:1 (blood:plasma:platelets), and extra fibrinogen intravenously. If not severe PPH, use goal-directed therapy. During general anaesthesia and uterine atony, stop volatile anaesthesia and change to intravenous anaesthesia.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2022
ReviewPoint-of-care coagulation testing for postpartum haemorrhage.
The use of viscoelastic haemostatic assays (VHAs) to guide blood product replacement during postpartum haemorrhage is expanding. Rotem and TEG devices can be used to detect and treat clinically significant hypofibrinogenaemia, although evidence to support the role of VHAs for guiding fresh frozen plasma and platelet transfusion is less clear. If Rotem/TEG traces are normal, clinicians should investigate for another cause of bleeding, and haemostatic support is not required. ⋯ There is a wide consensus that fibrinogen replacement is needed if the Fibtem A5 is <12 mm and if there is ongoing bleeding. Guidelines recommend against using VHAs to guide tranexamic acid infusion, and this drug should be given as soon as bleeding is recognised, irrespective of the Rotem/TEG traces. The cost-effectiveness of VHAs during postpartum haemorrhage needs to be addressed.