International journal of obstetric anesthesia
-
Int J Obstet Anesth · Apr 2013
Case ReportsAn ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure in a patient with a family history of malignant hyperthermia.
In the EXIT (ex utero intrapartum treatment) procedure, after uterine incision, uterine relaxation is maintained to prevent placental separation and the fetus is supported via the placenta until the airway is successfully established. The traditional method to maintain uterine relaxation is with the use of high-dose potent inhaled anesthetics during general anesthesia. ⋯ The history of malignant hyperthermia precluded the use of potent inhaled anesthetics and an alternate plan using propofol and remifentanil infusions for anesthesia and nitroglycerin 16 μg/kg/min for uterine relaxation allowed for good surgical conditions. The presence of malignant hyperthermia required an alternate plan and close collaboration in order to ensure good patient outcome.
-
Int J Obstet Anesth · Apr 2013
Case ReportsThrombolysis for the management of massive pulmonary embolism in pregnancy.
Massive pulmonary embolism in pregnancy is a major cause of maternal mortality; the management is challenging, and often requires aggressive therapy. Thrombolysis has been used, often with favorable outcome, but has not been previously reported in a patient presenting with an intrauterine death. We present a 29-year-old nulliparous patient who had a massive pulmonary embolus associated with fetal death in the third trimester of pregnancy. Diagnosis of pulmonary embolus was aided by transthoracic echocardiography and the patient was successfully treated with streptokinase.
-
Int J Obstet Anesth · Apr 2013
Use of thromboelastography to assess the combined role of pregnancy and obesity on coagulation: a prospective study.
Thromboelastography (TEG®) is a point of care monitor of whole blood coagulation and has previously demonstrated hypercoagulability in both pregnant and obese populations. However, the individual and combined contribution of pregnancy and obesity on coagulation status has not been defined. We carried out a study to assess the effect of both pregnancy and body mass index (BMI) on blood coagulation using laboratory tests of coagulation and thromboelastography. ⋯ The combined effect of pregnancy and obesity on coagulation has not previously been investigated. Thromboelastographic comparison of pregnant and non-pregnant females separated into low or high BMI cohorts in the current study suggests that obesity correlates more with a hypercoagulable state than with pregnancy, particularly in pregnant patients at the extremes of low and high body weight.
-
Int J Obstet Anesth · Apr 2013
Case ReportsAnaesthetic management of an obstetric patient with variegate porphyria.
Porphyria is an uncommon disease that can produce life-threatening attacks with a mortality rate of up to 10%, specifically as the result of administration of porphyrinogenic medications. In obstetric anaesthesia there are many situations where drugs are given in an emergency and it is therefore important to be prepared for complications to avoid inadvertently inducing an iatrogenic porphyric crisis. We discuss the case of a 20-year-old nulliparous woman with variegate porphyria who required an emergency caesarean section in labour, and the drugs that are commonly used in obstetric practice.