Seminars in perinatology
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Although definitions of severe hypertension vary, thresholds of >or=160-170 mm Hg systolic and/or >or=110 mm Hg diastolic are in most common usage. A recent focus has been placed on systolic hypertension given the increased pulse pressure in these women. In pregnancy, there is a general consensus that severe hypertension should be treated. ⋯ Most commonly, severe hypertension is treated with parenteral labetalol or hydralazine, or oral nifedipine (capsules or PA tablet). Other options will depend on local availability. MgSO(4) should not be relied on as an antihypertensive.
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Over half a million women die each year from pregnancy related causes, 99% in low and middle income countries. In many low income countries, complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death amongst women of reproductive years. The Millennium Development Goals have placed maternal health at the core of the struggle against poverty and inequality, as a matter of human rights. ⋯ With clinical monitoring serious adverse effects are rare. Magnesium sulfate is the anticonvulsant of choice for treating eclampsia; more effective than diazepam, phenytoin, or lytic cocktail. Although it is a low cost effective treatment, magnesium sulfate is not available in all low and middle income countries; scaling up its use for eclampsia and severe preeclampsia will contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
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Seminars in perinatology · Apr 2009
ReviewUterine atony: definition, prevention, nonsurgical management, and uterine tamponade.
Uterine atony, or failure of the uterus to contract following delivery, is the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage. This review serves to examine the prevention and treatment of uterine atony, including risk-factor recognition and active management of the third stage of labor. ⋯ Oxytocin and ergot alkaloids represent the cornerstone of uterotonic therapy, while prostaglandin therapy has been studied more recently as an attractive alternative, particularly for resource-poor settings. Newer supplementary medical therapies, such as recombinant factor VII and hemostatic agents, and adjunctive nonsurgical methods aimed at achieving uterine tamponade will be evaluated.
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Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is an obstetric emergency that can occur following vaginal or cesarean delivery. Rapid diagnosis of PPH using laboratory and clinical parameters is an important first step in its management. Traditional blood components, including packed red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate, should be used in patients with significant bleeding. ⋯ Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) should be considered in severely bleeding obstetric patients and should be treated aggressively using blood components. Newer hemostatic agents, such as activated factor VII, will play significant roles in patients with bleeding that is refractory to standard therapy. Implementation of an obstetric bleeding protocol that integrates new knowledge in coagulation should aid physicians in improving outcomes for the mother and her fetus.
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Seminars in perinatology · Apr 2009
Optimizing outcomes through protocols, multidisciplinary drills, and simulation.
Delay in diagnosis, failure to employ sufficient medical and surgical treatments, and poor teamwork all may contribute to suboptimal outcomes in cases of postpartum hemorrhage. A significant portion of hemorrhage-related maternal morbidity may be prevented through early diagnosis and rapid intervention. There is a small but growing body of literature describing the role of patient safety initiatives and simulation training in optimizing outcomes following postpartum hemorrhage. ⋯ Hemorrhage drills and simulation-based training may help providers achieve timely and coordinated responses in the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. Protocol may help to standardize management in cases of postpartum hemorrhage, thereby minimizing unnecessary errors or delays in care. Additional research is warranted to further determine the impact of patient safety initiatives and simulation training on outcomes in the setting of obstetric hemorrhage.