American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
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The aim of our study was to describe risk factors for legal abortion mortality and the characteristics of women who died of legal abortion complications for the period 1972 through 1987. ⋯ Although legal induced abortion-related deaths are rare events, our findings suggest that more rigorous efforts are needed to increase the safety of anesthetic methods and anesthetic agents used for abortions and that efforts are still necessary to monitor serious complications of abortion aimed at further reducing risks of death associated with the procedure.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Nov 1994
Comparative StudyThe effects of labor on maternal and fetal levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1.
Our purpose was to determine the effects of labor and fetal hypoxia on the levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 in the maternal and fetal circulation. ⋯ The process of labor leads to an increase in fetal levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1. This increase may well be associated with the relative fetal stress that occurs during labor. This suggestion is supported by the finding of the highest levels in labors in which there was thick staining of the liquor.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Oct 1994
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialDouble-blind comparison of intravenous butorphanol (Stadol) and fentanyl (Sublimaze) for analgesia during labor.
Our purpose was to compare the analgesic properties, effect on labor, and maternal-fetal side effects of intravenous butorphanol and fentanyl. ⋯ Both drugs were equally safe and without effect on active labor. Butorphanol provided better initial analgesia than fentanyl with fewer patient requests for more medication or epidural analgesia.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Oct 1994
Comparative Study Clinical TrialRapid echocardiographic assessment of left and right heart hemodynamics in critically ill obstetric patients.
Our purpose was to compare noninvasive two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography and right heart catheterization with a pulmonary artery catheter in the estimation of stroke volume, cardiac output, cardiac index, left ventricular filling pressure, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and right atrial pressure in a heterogeneous group of critically ill obstetric patients. ⋯ Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography allow rapid, reliable, noninvasive assessment of hemodynamic parameters in critically ill obstetric patients and may give the clinician valuable information that may influence therapeutic and clinical management.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Oct 1994
The recurrence risk of the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) in subsequent gestations.
Although it is an important clinical issue, accurate prediction of recurrence risk for the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) has been problematic because of limited patient experience. This study was undertaken to determine the likelihood that this form of severe preeclampsia-eclampsia or any other hypertensive disorder would occur in a subsequent pregnancy. ⋯ The risk of recurrence of the HELLP syndrome in our population is 19% to 27%. When data from all pregnancies with all forms of preeclampsia are considered, the risk of recurrence for any type of preeclampsia-eclampsia is 42% to 43%. A previous preterm delivery is a very high risk factor for recurrence of prematurity with preeclampsia-eclampsia.