Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2022
ReviewThe role of tranexamic acid in the management of postpartum haemorrhage.
In the last decades, tranexamic acid (TXA) has emerged as an essential tool in blood loss management in obstetrics. TXA prophylaxis for postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) has been studied in double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Given the small observed preventive effect, the systematic use of TXA for vaginal and/or caesarean deliveries remains controversial. ⋯ The TRACES in vivo analysis of biomarkers of TXA's antifibrinolytic effect have suggested that a dose of at least 1 g is required for the treatment of PPH. The TRACES pharmacokinetic model suggests that because TXA can be lost in the haemorrhaged blood, a second dose should be administered if the PPH continues or if severe coagulopathy occurs. Future pharmacodynamic analyses will focus on the appropriateness of TXA dosing regimens with regard to the intensity of fibrinolysis in catastrophic obstetric events.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2022
ReviewOptimizing systems to manage postpartum hemorrhage.
Systems to optimize the management of postpartum hemorrhage must ensure timely diagnosis, rapid hemodynamic and hemostatic resuscitation, and prompt interventions to control the source of bleeding. None of these objectives can be effectively completed by a single clinician, and the management of postpartum hemorrhage requires a carefully coordinated interprofessional team. This article reviews systems designed to standardize hemorrhage diagnosis and response.
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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.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2022
ReviewOperational and strategic decision making in the perioperative setting: Meeting budgetary challenges and quality of care goals.
Efficient operating room (OR) management is a constant balancing act between optimal OR capacity, allocation of ORs to surgeons, assignment of staff, ordering of materials, and reliable scheduling, while according the highest priority to patient safety. We provide an overview of common concepts in OR management, specifically addressing the areas of strategic, tactical, and operational decision making (DM), and parameters to measure OR efficiency. For optimal OR productivity, a surgical suite needs to define its main stakeholders, identify and create strategies to meet their needs, and ensure staff and patient satisfaction. OR planning should be based on real-life data at every stage and should apply newly developed algorithms.