International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2014
Letter Observational StudyQT interval prolongation following carbetocin in prevention of post-cesarean delivery hemorrhage.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2014
Observational StudyMajor obstetric haemorrhage: monitoring with thromboelastography, laboratory analyses or both?
Haemorrhage is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the obstetric population. The aim of this study was to compare the use of thromboelastography and laboratory analyses to evaluate haemostasis during major obstetric haemorrhage. A secondary aim was to evaluate correlations between the results of thromboelastography, laboratory analyses and estimated blood loss. ⋯ Impaired haemostasis, demonstrated by thromboelastography and laboratory analyses, was found after an estimated blood loss of 2000 mL. Thromboelastography provides faster results than standard laboratory testing which is advantageous in the setting of on-going obstetric haemorrhage. However, laboratory analyses found greater differences in coagulation variables, which correlated better with estimated blood loss.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2014
Impact of a third stage of labor oxytocin protocol on cesarean delivery outcomes.
There are currently no standard recommendations regarding the dose, rate, or duration of intravenous oxytocin administration for the active management of the third stage of labor in the USA. In 2008, we initiated a standardized postpartum oxytocin protocol for active management of the third stage of labor. In cesarean deliveries, upon clamping of the umbilical cord, an oxytocin infusion of 18 U/h was started and adjusted upward if there was ongoing uterine atony. The aim of this study was to compare intraoperative data on oxytocin dose, estimated blood loss, supplemental uterotonic use and vasopressor use before and after the implementation of this protocol. We hypothesized that implementation of the protocol would result in lower intraoperative oxytocin doses without increasing estimated blood loss. ⋯ We found that the use of an oxytocin management protocol reduced the amount of intraoperative oxytocin administered without increasing the rate of postpartum hemorrhage or the need for additional uterotonics. Clinicians may consider using a rate of 18 U/h as a starting point for administration of oxytocin to achieve adequate uterine tone in healthy parturients for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Feb 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA randomized comparison of onset of anesthesia between spinal bupivacaine 5mg with immediate epidural 2% lidocaine 5mL and bupivacaine 10mg for cesarean delivery.
Previous studies using low-dose spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery have focused on hypotension and efficacy. This study evaluated whether, using a combined spinal-epidural technique, there was a difference in onset of anesthesia for cesarean delivery between low-dose spinal with an immediate epidural local anesthetic bolus, and conventional-dose spinal anesthesia. ⋯ Intrathecal bupivacaine 5 mg with immediate 2% epidural lidocaine 5 mL provided comparable onset and efficacy of anesthesia as bupivacaine 10 mg with immediate epidural normal saline 5 mL for cesarean delivery.