Complete recovery after 2 h of cardiopulmonary resuscitation following high-dose prostaglandin treatment for atonic uterine haemorrhage

Prostaglandins for Postpartum Hemorrhage: Pharmacology, Application, and Current Opinion

BACKGROUND

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a common cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Medical intervention plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of PPH. Prostaglandins (PGs) are currently recommended as second-line uterotonics, which are applied in cases of persistent bleeding despite oxytocin treatment.

SUMMARY

PG agents that are constantly used in clinical practice include carboprost, sulprostone, and misoprostol, representing the analogs of PGF2α, PGE2, and PGE1, respectively. Injectable PGs, when used to treat PPH, are effective in reducing blood loss but probably induce cardiovascular or respiratory side effects. Misoprostol is characterized by oral administration, low cost, stability in storage, broad availability, and minimal side effects. It remains a treatment option for uterine atony in low-resource settings, but its effectiveness as a uterotonic for independent application may be limited. Key Messages: The present review article discusses the physiological roles of various natural PGs, evaluates the existing evidence of PG analogs in the prevention and treatment of PPH, and finally provides a reference to assist obstetricians in selecting appropriate uterotonics.

MicroRNAs: new biomarkers and therapeutic targets after cardiac arrest?

Despite advances in resuscitation medicine, including target temperature management as part of post-cardiac arrest care, many patients will have a poor neurological outcome, most often resulting in death. It is a commonly held belief that the ability to prognosticate outcome at an early stage after cardiac arrest would allow subsequent health care delivery to be tailored to individual patients. However, currently available predictive methods and biomarkers lack sufficient accuracy and therefore cannot be generally recommended in clinical practice. MicroRNAs have recently emerged as potential biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases. While the biomarker value of microRNAs for myocardial infarction or heart failure has been extensively studied, less attention has been devoted to their prognostic value after cardiac arrest. This review highlights the recent discoveries suggesting that microRNAs may be useful both to predict outcome and to treat patients after cardiac arrest.

Predictors of poor neurological outcome in adult comatose survivors of cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Part 1: patients not treated with therapeutic hypothermia

AIMS AND METHODS

To systematically review the accuracy of early (≤7 days) predictors of poor outcome defined as death or vegetative state (Cerebral Performance Categories [CPC] 4-5) or death, vegetative state or severe disability (CPC 3-5) in comatose survivors from cardiac arrest not treated using therapeutic hypothermia (TH). PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews were searched for eligible studies. Sensitivity, specificity, false positive rates (FPR) for each predictor were calculated and results of predictors with similar time points and outcome definitions were pooled. Quality of evidence (QOE) was evaluated according to the GRADE guidelines.

RESULTS

50 studies (2828 patients) were included in final analysis. Presence of myoclonus at 24-48h, bilateral absence of short-latency somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) N20 wave at 24-72h, absence of electroencephalographic activity >20-21μV ≤72h and absence of pupillary reflex at 72h predicted CPC 4-5 with 0% FPR and narrow (<10%) 95% confidence intervals. Absence of SSEP N20 wave at 24h predicted CPC 3-5 with 0% [0-8] FPR. Serum thresholds for 0% FPR of biomarkers neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S-100B were highly inconsistent among studies. Most of the studies had a low or very low QOE and did not report blinding of the treating team from the results of the investigated predictor.

CONCLUSIONS

In comatose resuscitated patients not treated with TH presence of myoclonus, absence of pupillary reflex, bilateral absence of N20 SSEP wave and low EEG voltage each predicted poor outcome early and accurately, but with a relevant risk of bias.

Cardiac arrest during sulprostone administration--a case report

Sulprostone, a synthetic prostaglandin analogue with potent uterotonic action, has been shown to have a low complication rate in a large series. We present a case of cardiac arrest in a parturient after Caesarean section during continuous infusion of intravenous sulprostone administered for atonic post-partum haemorrhage. She had cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 25 min before spontaneous circulation returned. The sequence of events, the results of investigations carried out during the intensive care unit stay, and the presence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors, suggest that sulprostone caused coronary spasm, bradycardia, and subsequent asystole, similar to other cases described in the literature.

[Severe hyperthermia and neurological disorders following prostaglandin treatment for uterine atonia after caesarean section]

Uterine atony is the most frequent cause of post-partum haemorrhage. In France, the management is based on early administration of oxytocic agents and prostaglandin analogues (sulprostone-Nalador®). We report the case of a 30-year-old woman who presented soon after administration of sulprostone, a severe hyperthermia with neurological disorders. A complete reversibility was observed a few hours after discontinuation of sulprostone administration. Other causes were eliminated by biological and radiological findings.

Use of recombinant activated factor VII in severe post-partum haemorrhage: data from the Italian Registry: a multicentric observational retrospective study

PURPOSE

To report the Italian real experience in clinical practice about recombinant factor VII activated (rFVIIa) in Post-Partum Haemorrhage (PPH) treatment.

METHODS

An Italian retrospective survey of severe primary PPH cases treated with rFVIIa was performed. Anamnestic, clinical and haemostatic data about thirty-five patients with PPH, from 2005 to 2007, were collected. Coagulative parameters and transfusion requirements before and after rFVIIa treatment were compared.

RESULTS

After rFVIIa administration INR was significantly decreased, while fibrinogen levels were markedly increased. Median of packed red blood cells units, platelets units, fresh frozen plasma, crystalloids and colloids needed, before and after rFVIIa administration, were respectively 6 and 2 units (p<1.2exp-6), 1.5 and 0 units (p=0.001), 1250 and 0 mL (p<4.4exp-5), 3000 and 1250 mL (p<0,0042). Twenty-nine of 35 patients needed surgical intervention before rFVIIa administration, 9/35 after treatment. Hysterectomies have been performed respectively in 10/35 cases before and in 6/35 cases after rFVIIa infusion. No maternal deaths have been reported. No adverse events or thromboembolic complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our clinical and haemostatic data suggest that recombinant activated factor VII may be a safe and helpful adjunctive therapy in the PPH management.

Blutungen während der Schwangerschaft

Hemorrhaging during pregnancy is often fulminant and life-threatening for mother and child. Of maternal deaths occurring during pregnancy, 25% are caused by hemorrhaging. All physicians involved in the interdisciplinary treatment of hemorrhaging during pregnancy need to be familiar with the specific pathophysiology of hemostatic changes during pregnancy, e.g. elevated hemostatic capacity, reduced anti-coagulation activity and severe alterations of the fibrinolysis system. Therapists must be able to perform a consequent, goal-directed interdisciplinary approach to prevent adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The major issues of therapy are causal obstetric treatment of the bleeding, early detection and therapy of hyperfibrinolysis, optimization of fibrinogen and platelet levels and knowledge of the possibilities of a targeted coagulation therapy.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy for circulatory arrest due to postpartum hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Cardiac arrest after postpartum hemorrhage may not respond to advanced life support. Various resuscitation methods have been proposed, including sternotomy and direct cardiac massage. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) might be an alternative.

CASE

We report the case of a woman who suffered atonic uterine hemorrhage perioperatively after cesarean delivery of twins. During initial conservative treatment using prostaglandin analog (sulprostone), cardiac decompensation developed and was followed by cardiopulmonary arrest. Circulatory failure remained unresponsive after 2 hours of resuscitation, when ECMO was initiated. The ensuing recovery was favorable.

CONCLUSION

Aggressive mechanical circulatory support, such as ECMO, should be considered in a case of potentially reversible cardiocirculatory failure in a young obstetric patient.

Sulprostone reduces the need for the manual removal of the placenta in patients with retained placenta: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent that the administration of sulprostone reduces the need for manual removal of the placenta in patients with retained placenta.

STUDY DESIGN

A double-blinded sequential randomized controlled trial of sulprostone versus placebo was conducted among 103 patients with retained placenta.

RESULTS

In the first phase of this sequential study, sulprostone was compared with placebo. The null hypothesis of equal effectiveness of both treatments was rejected after 50 patients. In patients with retained placenta, the placenta was expelled after sulprostone in 13 of 24 cases (51.8%, bias adjusted), whereas expulsion after placebo was achieved in only 4 of 26 cases (17.6%, bias adjusted). The difference was significant (P = .034). In the second phase of the study, in which the placebo arm was stopped, results were confirmed; in 25 of 53 patients (47%), the placenta was expelled.

CONCLUSION

Sulprostone reduces the need for the manual removal of the placenta by 49%.

Maternal cardiac disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

An estimated 0.5-4% of pregnant patients have cardiac disease, such as rheumatic disease, which is decreasing in Western countries, uncorrected congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy and ischaemic heart disease. There has been an increase in maternal mortality due to cardiac causes. Congenital heart disease is becoming the most common source of cardiac problems in the pregnant patient, because patients are increasingly likely to survive to childbearing age with the improvement of surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

The increasing age of patients conceiving their first child is also an important factor. A comprehensive understanding of the physiology of pregnancy and the pathophysiology of maternal cardiac disease is of great importance for anaesthesiologists, gynaecologists and cardiologists involved in peripartum care.

SUMMARY

We try to give a brief and comprehensive review on this topic.

NEURON-SPECIFIC-ENOLASE IS INCREASED IN PLASMA AFTER HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK AND AFTER BILATERAL FEMUR FRACTURE WITHOUT TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN THE RAT

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is an acknowledged marker of traumatic brain injury. Several markers originally considered reliable in the setting of traumatic brain injury have been challenged after having been studied more extensively. The aim of our experimental study was to determine whether NSE is a reliable marker of traumatic brain injury early after trauma. Hemorrhagic shock was achieved by bleeding anesthetized rats to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 30-35 mmHg through a femoral catheter until incipient decompensation. MAP was maintained at 30-35 mmHg until 40% of shed blood had been administered as Ringer's solution and was then increased and maintained at 40-45 mmHg for 40 min by further administration of Ringer's solution, mimicking the phase of inadequate preclinical resuscitation. Blood samples were drawn at the end of the 40-min period of inadequate resuscitation. Femur fracture was achieved in anesthetized rats by bilateral application of forceps. Blood samples were drawn 30 and 60 min after fracture. Hemorrhagic shock caused NSE increase versus laboratory controls at the end of inadequate resuscitation (P < 0.01). Bilateral femur fracture caused NSE increase versus laboratory controls 30 min after fracture, which was significant 60 min after fracture (P < 0.01). During femur fracture, MAP remained at a level that is not associated with shock in rats. Our findings show for the first time that NSE increases after hemorrhagic shock as well as after femur fracture without hemorrhagic shock in rats. From a clinical point of view, these findings indicate that NSE cannot be considered a reliable marker of traumatic brain injury early after trauma in cases associated with hemorrhagic shock and/or femur fracture.