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Obstetrics and Gynecology Jul 2023Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is one of the most dangerous conditions in pregnancy and is increasing in frequency. The risk of life-threatening bleeding is present...
Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is one of the most dangerous conditions in pregnancy and is increasing in frequency. The risk of life-threatening bleeding is present throughout pregnancy but is particularly high at the time of delivery. Although the exact cause is unknown, the result is clear: Severe PAS distorts the uterus and surrounding anatomy and transforms the pelvis into an extremely high-flow vascular state. Screening for risk factors and assessing placental location by antenatal ultrasonography are essential for timely diagnosis. Further evaluation and confirmation of PAS are best performed in referral centers with expertise in antenatal imaging and surgical management of PAS. In the United States, cesarean hysterectomy with the placenta left in situ after delivery of the fetus is the most common treatment for PAS, but even in experienced referral centers, this treatment is often morbid, resulting in prolonged surgery, intraoperative injury to the urinary tract, blood transfusion, and admission to the intensive care unit. Postsurgical complications include high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, pelvic pain, decreased quality of life, and depression. Team-based, patient-centered, evidence-based care from diagnosis to full recovery is needed to optimally manage this potentially deadly disorder. In a field that has relied mainly on expert opinion, more research is needed to explore alternative treatments and adjunctive surgical approaches to reduce blood loss and postoperative complications.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; United States; Placenta Accreta; Quality of Life; Placenta; Cesarean Section; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 37290094
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005229 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Sep 2023A Cesarean Scar Pregnancy (CSP) is a variant of uterine ectopic pregnancy defined by full or partial implantation of the gestational sac in the scar of a previous... (Review)
Review
A Cesarean Scar Pregnancy (CSP) is a variant of uterine ectopic pregnancy defined by full or partial implantation of the gestational sac in the scar of a previous cesarean section. The continuous increase of Cesarean Deliveries is causing a parallel increase in CSP and its complications. Considering its high morbidity, the most usual recommendation has been termination of pregnancy in the first trimester; however, several cases progress to viable births. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the outcome of CSP managed expectantly and understand whether sonographic signs could correlate to the outcomes. An online-based search of PubMed and Cochrane Library Databases was used to gather studies including women diagnosed with a CSP who were managed expectantly. The description of all cases was analysed by the authors in order to obtain information for each outcome. 47 studies of different types were retrieved, and the gestational outcome was available in 194 patients. Out of these, 39 patients (20,1%) had a miscarriage and 16 (8,3%) suffered foetal death. 50 patients (25,8%) had a term delivery and 81 (41,8%) patients had a preterm birth, out of which 27 (13,9%) delivered before 34 weeks of gestation. In 102 (52,6%) patients, a hysterectomy was performed. Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) was a common disorder among CSP and was linked to a higher rate of complications such as foetal death, preterm birth, hysterectomy, haemorrhagic morbidity and surgical complications. Some of the analysed articles showed that sonographic signs with specific characteristics, such as type II and III CSP classification, Crossover Sign - 1, "In the niche" implantation and lower myometrial thickness could be related to worse outcomes of CSP. This article provides a good understanding of CSP as an entity that, although rare, presents with a high rate of relevant morbidity. It is also understood that pregnancies with confirmed PAS had an even higher rate of morbidity. Some sonographic signs were shown to predict the prognosis of these pregnancies and further investigation is necessary to validate one or more signs so they can be used for a more reliable counselling of women with CSP.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Female; Cesarean Section; Premature Birth; Cicatrix; Watchful Waiting; Pregnancy, Ectopic; Pregnancy Outcome; Placenta Accreta; Fetal Death; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37421745
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.06.030 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Aug 2023Screening for clinically significant placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is possible with a high degree of accuracy (both sensitivity and specificity >90-95%). The group of... (Review)
Review
Screening for clinically significant placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is possible with a high degree of accuracy (both sensitivity and specificity >90-95%). The group of women to focus on are those with placenta previa and one or more prior Cesarean deliveries. Screening for PAS not associated with placenta previa is not as productive, and several false negatives have been described. The results of the screening program indicate that women have a low or high probability of PAS. Screen-positive women or those with uncertain ultrasound features should be referred to a center of excellence. Those confirmed to have a high probability of PAS should electively be delivered at such centers.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Placenta Accreta; Placenta Previa; Retrospective Studies; Cesarean Section; Ultrasonography; Placenta
PubMed: 37541113
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2023.102392 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Jan 2024To evaluate whether prophylactic administration of 1 g of intravenous calcium chloride after cord clamping reduces blood loss from uterine atony during intrapartum... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether prophylactic administration of 1 g of intravenous calcium chloride after cord clamping reduces blood loss from uterine atony during intrapartum cesarean delivery.
METHODS
This single-center, block-randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind superiority trial compared the effects of 1 g intravenous calcium chloride with those of saline placebo control on blood loss at cesarean delivery. Parturients at 34 or more weeks of gestation requiring intrapartum cesarean delivery after oxytocin exposure in labor were enrolled. Calcium or saline placebo was infused over 10 minutes beginning 1 minute after umbilical cord clamping in addition to standard care with oxytocin. The primary outcome was quantitative blood loss, analyzed by inverse Gaussian regression. Planned subgroup analysis excluded nonatonic bleeding, such as hysterotomy extension, arterial bleeding, and occult placenta accreta. We planned to enroll 120 patients to show a 200-mL reduction in quantitative blood loss in planned subgroup analysis, assuming up to 40% incidence of nonatonic bleeding (80% power, α<0.05).
RESULTS
From April 2022 through March 2023, 828 laboring parturients provided consent and 120 participants were enrolled. Median blood loss was 840 mL in patients allocated to calcium chloride (n=60) and 1,051 mL in patients allocated to placebo (n=60), which was not statistically different (mean reduction 211 mL, 95% CI -33 to 410). In the planned subgroup analysis (n=39 calcium and n=40 placebo), excluding cases of surgeon-documented nonatonic bleeding, calcium reduced quantitative blood loss by 356 mL (95% CI 159-515). Rates of reported side effects were similar between the two groups (38% calcium vs 42% placebo).
CONCLUSION
Prophylactic intravenous calcium chloride administered during intrapartum cesarean delivery after umbilical cord clamping did not significantly reduce blood loss in the primary analysis. However, in the planned subgroup analysis, calcium infusion significantly reduced blood loss by approximately 350 mL. These data suggest that this inexpensive and shelf-stable medication warrants future study as a novel treatment strategy to decrease postpartum hemorrhage, the leading global cause of maternal morbidity and mortality.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05027048.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Oxytocin; Calcium; Calcium Chloride; Cesarean Section; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Calcium, Dietary
PubMed: 37917943
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005441 -
American Journal of Perinatology Jul 2023Anesthesiologists are critical members of the multidisciplinary team managing patients with suspected placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). Preoperatively, anesthesiologists... (Review)
Review
Anesthesiologists are critical members of the multidisciplinary team managing patients with suspected placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). Preoperatively, anesthesiologists provide predelivery consultation for patients with suspected PAS where anesthetic modality and invasive monitor placement is discussed. Additionally, anesthesiologists carefully assess patient and surgical risk factors to choose an anesthetic plan and to prepare for massive intraoperative hemorrhage. Postoperatively, the obstetric anesthesiologist hold unique skills to assist with postoperative pain management for cesarean hysterectomy. We review the unique aspects of peripartum care for patients with PAS who undergo cesarean hysterectomy and explain why these responsibilities are critical for achieving successful outcomes for patients with PAS. KEY POINTS: · Anesthesiologists are critical members of the multidisciplinary team planning for patients with suspected placenta accreta spectrum.. · Intraoperative preparation for massive hemorrhage is a key component of anesthetic care for patients with PAS.. · Obstetric anesthesiologists have a unique skill set to manage postpartum pain and postoperative disposition for patients with PAS who undergo cesarean hysterectomy..
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Placenta Accreta; Anesthesia; Cesarean Section; Blood Loss, Surgical; Hysterectomy; Retrospective Studies; Placenta
PubMed: 37336215
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1761637 -
The British Journal of Radiology Jul 2023The placenta is both the literal and metaphorical black box of pregnancy. Measurement of the function of the placenta has the potential to enhance our understanding of... (Review)
Review
The placenta is both the literal and metaphorical black box of pregnancy. Measurement of the function of the placenta has the potential to enhance our understanding of this enigmatic organ and serve to support obstetric decision making. Advanced imaging techniques are key to support these measurements. This review summarises emerging imaging technology being used to measure the function of the placenta and new developments in the computational analysis of these data. We address three important examples where functional imaging is supporting our understanding of these conditions: fetal growth restriction, placenta accreta, and twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Placenta; Placenta Accreta; Pelvis
PubMed: 35234516
DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20211010 -
Journal of Healthcare Leadership 2023This obstetric surgery review is directed toward the common obstetrical surgeries (caesarean delivery, VBAC/TOLAC, operative vaginal delivery, placenta accreta spectrum)... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
This obstetric surgery review is directed toward the common obstetrical surgeries (caesarean delivery, VBAC/TOLAC, operative vaginal delivery, placenta accreta spectrum) with evidence for quality and safety to allow for obstetrical outcome excellence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This focused scoping review has used a structured process for article identification and inclusion for each of the focused surgeries.
RESULTS
The review results provide an obstetrical surgery (OS) overview for caesarean delivery, vaginal birth after caesarean delivery and/or trial of labor after caesarean delivery, operative vaginal delivery, placenta accreta spectrum; considerations for quality and safety variance due to non-clinical human factors; quality improvement (QI) tools; OS QI implementation cohorts; implementation considering certain barriers and solutions.
CONCLUSION
Administrative health care systems and obstetrical surgery care providers cannot afford, not to consider and implement, certain evidenced-based "bottom-up/top-down" processes for quality and safety, as the patients will demand the quality and the safety, but the lawyers should not have to enforce it.
PubMed: 38046534
DOI: 10.2147/JHL.S404498 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Aug 2023This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess clinical characteristics related to pathologically proven placenta accreta spectrum without placenta previa. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess clinical characteristics related to pathologically proven placenta accreta spectrum without placenta previa.
DATA SOURCES
A literature search of PubMed, the Cochrane database, and Web of Science was performed from inception to September 7, 2022.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The primary outcomes were invasive placenta (including increta or percreta), blood loss, hysterectomy, and antenatal diagnosis. In addition, maternal age, assisted reproductive technology, previous cesarean delivery, and previous uterine procedures were investigated as potential risk factors. The inclusion criteria were studies evaluating the clinical presentation of pathologically diagnosed PAS without placenta previa.
METHODS
Study screening was conducted after duplicates were identified and removed. The quality of each study and the publication bias were assessed. Forest plots and I statistics were calculated for each study outcome for each group. The main analysis was a random-effects analysis.
RESULTS
Among 2598 studies that were initially retrieved, 5 were included in the review. With the exception of 1 study, 4 studies were included in the meta-analysis. This meta-analysis showed that placenta accreta spectrum without placenta previa was associated with less risk of invasive placenta (odds ratio, 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.16-0.37), blood loss (mean difference, -1.19; 95% confidence interval, -2.09 to -0.28) and hysterectomy (odds ratio, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.53), and more difficult to diagnose prenatally (odds ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.45) than placenta accreta spectrum with placenta previa. In addition, assisted reproductive technology and a previous uterine procedure were strong risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum without placenta previa, whhereas previous cesarean delivery was a strong risk factor for placenta accreta spectrum with placenta previa.
CONCLUSION
The differences in clinical aspects of placenta accreta spectrum with and without placenta previa need to be understood.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Placenta Accreta; Retrospective Studies; Placenta Previa; Hysterectomy; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37211089
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101027