Racial and Ethnic Concordance Between the Patient and Anesthesia Team and Patients' Satisfaction With Pain Management During Cesarean Delivery

BACKGROUND

Racial and ethnic concordance between patients and health care providers increases patient satisfaction but has not been examined in obstetric anesthesia care. This study evaluated the association between racial and ethnic concordance and satisfaction with management of pain during cesarean delivery (PDCD).

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis on a cohort of patients undergoing cesarean deliveries under neuraxial anesthesia that examined PDCD. The outcome was satisfaction, recorded within 48 hours after delivery using the survey question, "Overall, how satisfied are you with the anesthesia care during the C-section as it relates to pain management?" Using a 5-point Likert scale, satisfaction was defined with the answer "very satisfied." Participants were also asked, "If you have another C-section, would you want the same anesthesia team?" The exposure was racial and ethnic concordance between the patient and anesthesia team members (attending with a resident, nurse anesthetist, or fellow) categorized into full concordance, partial concordance, discordance, and missing. Risk factors for satisfaction were identified using a multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

Among 403 participants, 305 (78.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 73.8-82.1) were "very satisfied," and 358 of 399 (89.7%; 95% CI, 86.3-92.5) "would want the same anesthesia team." Full concordance occurred in 18 (4.5%) cases, partial concordance in 117 (29.0%), discordance in 175 (43.4%), and missing in 93 (23.1%). Satisfaction rate was 88.9% for full concordance, 71.8% for partial concordance, 81.1% for discordance, and 78.5% for missing (P value = .202). In the multivariable analysis, there was insufficient evidence for an association of concordance with satisfaction. Compared to full concordance, partial concordance was associated with a nonsignificant 57% (95% CI, -113 to 91) decrease in the odds of being satisfied, discordance with a 29% (95% CI, -251 to 85) decrease, and missing with a 39% (95% CI, -210 to 88) decrease. Risk factors for not being "very satisfied" were PDCD, anxiety disorders, pregnancy resulting from in vitro fertilization, intravenous medication administration, intrapartum cesarean with extension of labor epidural, having 3 anesthesia team members (instead of 2), and a higher intraoperative blood loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Our inability to identify an association between concordance and satisfaction is likely due to the high satisfaction rate in our cohort (78.2%), combined with low proportion of full concordance (4.5%). Addressing elements such as PDCD, anxiety, intravenous medication administration, and use of epidural anesthesia for cesarean delivery, and a better understanding of the interplay between concordance and satisfaction are warranted.

Structural Racism and Use of Labor Neuraxial Analgesia Among Non-Hispanic Black Birthing People

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between structural racism and labor neuraxial analgesia use.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study analyzed 2017 U.S. natality data for non-Hispanic Black and White birthing people. The exposure was a multidimensional structural racism index measured in the county of the delivery hospital. It was calculated as the mean of three Black-White inequity ratios (ratios for lower education, unemployment, and incarceration in jails) and categorized into terciles, with the third tercile corresponding to high structural racism. The outcome was the labor neuraxial analgesia rate. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% CIs of neuraxial analgesia associated with terciles of the index were estimated with multivariate logistic regression models. Black and White people were compared with the use of an interaction term between race and ethnicity and the racism index.

RESULTS

Of the 1,740,716 birth certificates analyzed, 396,303 (22.8%) were for Black people. The labor neuraxial analgesia rate was 77.2% for Black people in the first tercile of the racism index, 74.7% in the second tercile, and 72.4% in the third tercile. For White people, the rates were 80.4%, 78.2%, and 78.2%, respectively. For Black people, compared with the first tercile of the racism index, the second tercile was associated with 18.4% (95% CI, 16.9-19.9%) decreased adjusted odds of receiving neuraxial analgesia and the third tercile with 28.3% (95% CI, 26.9-29.6%) decreased adjusted odds. For White people, the decreases were 13.4% (95% CI, 12.5-14.4%) in the second tercile and 15.6% (95% CI, 14.7-16.5%) in the third tercile. A significant difference in the odds of neuraxial analgesia was observed between Black and White people for the second and third terciles.

CONCLUSION

A multidimensional index of structural racism is associated with significantly reduced odds of receiving labor neuraxial analgesia among Black people and, to a lesser extent, White people.

Pain during cesarean delivery: A patient-related prospective observational study assessing the incidence and risk factors for intraoperative pain and intravenous medication administration

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of pain during cesarean delivery (PDCD) remains unclear. Most studies evaluated PDCD using interventions suggesting inadequate analgesia: neuraxial replacement, unplanned intravenous medication (IVM), or conversion to general anesthesia. Few assess self-reported pain. This study evaluates the incidence of and risk factors for self-reported PDCD and IVM administration.

METHODS

Between May and September 2022, English-speaking women undergoing cesarean delivery under neuraxial anesthesia were approached within the first 48 h. Participants answered a 16-question survey about intraoperative anesthesia care. Clinical characteristics were extracted from electronic medical records. The primary outcome was PDCD. Secondary outcomes were analgesic IVM (opioids alone or in combination with ketamine, midazolam, or dexmedetomidine) and conversion to general anesthesia. Risk factors for PDCD and analgesic IVM were identified using multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Pain was reported by 46/399 (11.5%; 95% CI: 8.6, 15.1) participants. Analgesic IVM was administered to 16 (34.8%) women with PDCD and 45 (12.6%) without. Conversion to general anesthesia occurred in 3 (6.5%) women with and 4 (1.1%) without PDCD. Risk factors associated with PDCD were substance use disorder and intrapartum epidural extension. Risk factors associated with analgesic IVM were PDCD, intrapartum epidural extension when ≥2 epidural top-ups were given for labor analgesia, and longer surgical duration.

DISCUSSION

In our cohort of scheduled and unplanned cesarean deliveries, the incidence of PDCD was 11.5%. A significant proportion of women (15.1%) received analgesic IVM, of which some but not all reported pain, which requires further evaluation to identify triggers for IVM administration and strategies optimizing shared decision-making.

State-Level Indicators of Structural Racism and Severe Adverse Maternal Outcomes During Childbirth

OBJECTIVES

Structural racism (SR) is viewed as a root cause of racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. However, evidence linking SR to increased odds of severe adverse maternal outcomes (SAMO) is scant. This study assessed the association between state-level indicators of SR and SAMO during childbirth.

METHODS

Data for non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic white women came from the US Natality file, 2017-2018. The exposures were state-level Black-to-white inequity ratios for lower education level, unemployment, and prison incarceration. The outcome was patient-level SAMO, including eclampsia, blood transfusion, hysterectomy, or intensive care unit admission. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of SAMO associated with each ratio were estimated using multilevel models adjusting for patient, hospital, and state characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 4,804,488 birth certificates were analyzed, with 22.5% for Black women. SAMO incidence was 106.4 per 10,000 (95% CI 104.5, 108.4) for Black women, and 72.7 per 10,000 (95% CI 71.8, 73.6) for white women. Odds of SAMO increased 35% per 1-unit increase in the unemployment ratio for Black women (aOR 1.35; 95% CI 1.04, 1.73), and 16% for white women (aOR 1.16; 95% CI 1.01, 1.33). Odds of SAMO increased 6% per 1-unit increase in the incarceration ratio for Black women (aOR 1.06; 95% CI 1.03, 1.10), and 4% for white women (aOR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02, 1.06). No significant association was observed between SAMO and the lower education level ratio.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

State-level Black-to-white inequity ratios for unemployment and incarceration are associated with significantly increased odds of SAMO.

Delivery Outcomes and Postpartum Readmissions Associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

 Given that updated estimates of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and risks for obstetric complications including postpartum readmission may be of public health significance, we sought to analyze associated obstetric trends and outcomes in a nationally representative population.

STUDY DESIGN

 The 2016 to 2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database was used for this retrospective cohort study. Delivery hospitalizations to women aged 15 to 54 with and without Ehlers-Danlos syndrome were identified. Temporal trends in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnoses during delivery hospitalizations were analyzed using joinpoint regression to estimate the average annual percent change with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). To determine whether adverse obstetric outcomes during the delivery were associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were fit with unadjusted (odds ratio [OR]) and adjusted ORs with 95% CIs as measures of association. In addition to analyzing adverse delivery outcomes, risk for 60-day postpartum readmission was analyzed.

RESULTS

 An estimated 18,214,542 delivery hospitalizations were included of which 7,378 (4.1 per 10,000) had an associated diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnosis increased from 2.7 to 5.2 per 10,000 delivery hospitalization from 2016 to 2020 (average annual percent change increase of 16.1%, 95% CI: 9.4%, 23.1%). Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was associated with increased odds of nontransfusion severe maternal morbidity (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.38, 2.45), cervical insufficiency (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.46, 3.13), postpartum hemorrhage (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.68), cesarean delivery (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.36), and preterm delivery (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.56). Estimates for transfusion, placental abruption, and placenta previa did not differ significantly. Risk for 60-day postpartum readmission was 3.0% among deliveries with Ehlers-Danlos (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.37, 2.25).

CONCLUSION

 Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnoses approximately doubled over the 5-year study period and was associated with a range of adverse obstetric outcomes and complications during delivery hospitalizations as well as risk for postpartum readmission.

KEY POINTS

· Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnoses approximately doubled over the 5-year study period.. · Ehlers-Danlos was associated with a range of adverse obstetric outcomes.. · Ehlers-Danlos was associated with increased readmission risk..

Medicaid expansion and risk of eclampsia

BACKGROUND

Eclampsia is an indicator of severe maternal morbidity and can be prevented through increased prenatal care access and early prenatal care utilization. The 2014 Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand Medicaid coverage to nonelderly adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Its implementation has led to a significant increase in prenatal care access and utilization.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the association of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act with eclampsia incidence.

STUDY DESIGN

This natural experiment study was based on US birth certificate data from January 2010 to December 2018 in 16 states that expanded Medicaid in January 2014 and in 13 states that did not expand Medicaid during the study period. The outcome was eclampsia incidence, the intervention was the implementation of the Medicaid expansion, and the exposure was state expansion status. Using the interrupted time series method, we compared temporal trends in the incidence of eclampsia before and after the intervention in expansion vs non-expansion states with adjustments for patient and hospital county characteristics.

RESULTS

Of the 21,570,021 birth certificates analyzed, 11,433,862 (53.0%) were in expansion states and 12,035,159 (55.8%) were in the postintervention period. The diagnosis of eclampsia was recorded in 42,677 birth certificates or 19.8 per 10,000 (95% confidence interval, 19.6-20.0). The incidence of eclampsia was higher for Black people (29.1 per 10,000) than for White (20.7 per 10,000), Hispanic (15.3 per 10,000), and birthing people of other race and ethnicity (15.4 per 10,000). In the expansion states, the incidence of eclampsia increased during the preintervention period and decreased during the postintervention period; in the nonexpansion states, a reverse pattern was observed. A statistically significant difference was observed between expansion and nonexpansion states in temporal trends between the pre- and postintervention periods, with an overall 1.6% decrease (95% confidence interval, 1.3-1.9) in the incidence of eclampsia in expansion states compared with nonexpansion states. The results were consistent in subgroup analyses according to maternal race and ethnicity, education level (less than high school or high school and higher), parity (nulliparous or parous), delivery mode (vaginal or cesarean delivery), and poverty in the residence county (high or low).

CONCLUSION

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion was associated with a small statistically significant reduction in the incidence of eclampsia. Its clinical significance and cost-effectiveness remain to be determined.

Nurse workforce diversity and reduced risk of severe adverse maternal outcomes

BACKGROUND

Racial and ethnic diversification of the physician and nurse workforce is recommended as a leverage point to address the impact of structural racism in maternal care, but empirical evidence supporting this recommendation is currently lacking.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the association between state-level registered nurse workforce racial and ethnic diversity and severe adverse maternal outcomes during childbirth.

STUDY DESIGN

This population-based cross-sectional study analyzed 2017 US birth certificate data. Severe adverse maternal outcomes included eclampsia, blood transfusion, hysterectomy, or intensive care unit admission. Proportions of minoritized racial and ethnic registered nurses in each state were abstracted from the American Community Survey (5-year estimate, 2013-2017). This proportion was categorized into 3 terciles, with the first tercile corresponding to the lowest proportion and the third tercile corresponding to the highest proportion. Crude and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of severe adverse maternal outcomes associated with terciles of the state proportion of minoritized racial and ethnic nurses were estimated using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Of the 3,668,813 birth certificates studied, 29,174 recorded severe adverse maternal outcomes (79.5 per 10,000; 95% confidence interval, 78.6-80.4). The mean state proportion of minoritized racial and ethnic nurses was 22.1%, ranging from 3.3% in Maine to 68.2% in Hawaii. For White mothers, the incidence of severe adverse outcomes was 85.3 per 10,000 for those who gave births in states in the first tercile of the proportion of minoritized racial and ethnic nurses and 53.9 per 10,000 for those who gave birth in states in the third tercile (risk difference, -31.4 per 10,000; 95% confidence interval, -34.4 to -28.5). It corresponds to a 37% decreased risk of severe adverse maternal outcomes associated with giving birth in a state in the third tercile (crude odds ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.60-0.66). A decreased risk of severe adverse maternal outcomes was observed for Black mothers (crude odds ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.61-0.70), Hispanic mothers (crude odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.54), and Asian and Pacific Islander mothers (crude odds ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.72) but not for Native American mothers (crude odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-1.09) or mothers with >1 race (crude odds ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-1.09). After adjustment for patients and hospital characteristics, giving birth in states in the third tercile was associated with a reduced risk of severe adverse outcomes as follows: 32% for White mothers (adjusted odds ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.77), 20% for Black mothers (adjusted odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.99), 31% for Hispanic mothers (adjusted odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.82), and 50% for Asian and Pacific Islander mothers (adjusted odds ratio, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.65). The associations of the proportion of minoritized racial and ethnic nurses with the risk of severe adverse maternal outcomes were not statistically significant for Native American mothers and more than 1 race mothers. Results were similar when blood transfusion was excluded from the outcome measure.

CONCLUSION

A diverse state registered nurse workforce was associated with a reduced risk of severe adverse maternal outcomes during childbirth.

Trends and outcomes for deliveries with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy from 2000 to 2018: A repeated cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To analyse trends, risk factors, and outcomes related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).

DESIGN

Repeated cross-sectional.

SETTING

US delivery hospitalisations.

POPULATION

Delivery hospitalisations in the 2000-2018 National Inpatient Sample.

METHODS

US hospital delivery hospitalisations with HDP were analysed. Several trends were analysed: (i) the proportion of deliveries by year with HDP, (ii) the proportion of deliveries with HDP risk factors and (iii) adverse outcomes associated with HDP including maternal stroke, acute renal failure and acute liver injury. Risk ratios were determined using regression models with HDP as the exposure of interest.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of HDP, risk factors for HDP and associated adverse outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 73.1 million delivery hospitalisations, 7.7% had an associated diagnosis of HDP. Over the study period, HDP doubled from 6.0% of deliveries in 2000 to 12.0% in 2018. The proportion of deliveries with risk factors for HDP increased from 9.6% in 2000 to 24.6% in 2018. In adjusted models, HDP were associated with increased stroke (aRR [adjusted risk ratio] 15.9, 95% CI 14.8-17.1), acute renal failure (aRR 13.8, 95% CI 13.5-14.2) and acute liver injury (aRR 1.2, 95% CI 1.2-1.3). Among deliveries with HDP, acute renal failure and acute liver injury increased; in comparison, stroke decreased.

CONCLUSION

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy increased in the setting of risk factors for HDP becoming more common, whereas stroke decreased.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

While hypertensive disorders of pregnancy increased from 2000 to 2018, stroke appears to be decreasing.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Management of Postdural Puncture Headache With Epidural Blood Patch for Obstetric Patients in New York State

IMPORTANCE

Characterizing and addressing racial and ethnic disparities in peripartum pain assessment and treatment is a national priority.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of race and ethnicity with the provision and timing of an epidural blood patch (EBP) for management of postdural puncture headache in obstetric patients.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cross-sectional study used New York State hospital discharge records from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2016, from mothers 15 to 49 years of age with a postdural puncture headache after neuraxial analgesia or anesthesia for childbirth. Statistical analysis was performed from February 2020 to February 2022.

EXPOSURES

Patients' race and ethnicity (reported as provided by each participating hospital; the method of determining race and ethnicity [ie, self-reported or not] cannot be determined from the data) were categorized into non-Hispanic White (reference group), non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and other race and ethnicity (including Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and other).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was the rate of EBP use. The secondary outcome was the interval (days) between hospital admission and provision of EBP. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs of EBP use associated with race and ethnicity were estimated using mixed-effect logistic regression models, adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS

During the study period, 8921 patients (mean [SD] age, 30 [6] years; 1028 [11.5%] Black; 1301 [14.6%] Hispanic; 4960 [55.6%] White; and 1359 [15.2%] other race and ethnicity) with postdural puncture headache were identified among 1.9 million deliveries with a neuraxial procedure. Of these 8921 patients, 4196 (47.0%; 95% CI, 46.0%-48.1%) were managed with an EBP. A total of 2650 White patients (53.4%; 95% CI, 52.0%-54.8%) used an EBP; this rate was significantly higher than that among Hispanic patients (41.7% [543]; 95% CI, 39.9%-44.5%), Black patients (35.7% [367]; 95% CI, 32.8%-38.7%), or patients of other race and ethnicity (35.2% [478]; 95% CI, 32.6%-37.8%). Timing of EBP was at a median of 2 days (IQR, 2-3 days) after hospital admission for White patients compared with a median of 3 days (IQR, 2-4 days) for Hispanic patients, Black patients, and patients of other race and ethnicity (P < .001 for the comparison with White patients). After adjustment for patient and hospital characteristics, the EBP rate was not different between White and Hispanic patients (adjusted OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.94-1.30). It was significantly lower for Black patients (adjusted OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67-0.94) and patients of other races and ethnicities (adjusted OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, significant racial and ethnic disparities in the management of postdural puncture headache with EBP were observed, with both lower rates and delayed timing, which may be associated with long-term adverse effects.

Trends in and complications associated with mental health condition diagnoses during delivery hospitalizations

BACKGROUND

Mental health conditions during delivery hospitalizations are not well characterized.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to characterize the prevalence of maternal mental health condition diagnoses and associated risk during delivery hospitalizations in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN

The 2000 to 2018 National Inpatient Sample was used for this repeated cross-sectional analysis. Delivery hospitalizations of women aged 15 to 54 years with and without mental health condition diagnoses, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia spectrum disorder, were identified. Temporal trends in mental health condition diagnoses during delivery hospitalizations were determined using the National Cancer Institute's Joinpoint Regression Program to estimate the average annual percent change with 95% confidence intervals. The trends in chronic conditions associated with mental health condition diagnoses, including asthma, pregestational diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension, obesity, and substance use, were analyzed. The association between mental health conditions and the following adverse outcomes was determined: (1) severe maternal morbidity, (2) preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, (3) preterm delivery, (4) postpartum hemorrhage, (5) cesarean delivery, and (6) maternal mortality. Regression models for each outcome were performed with unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios as measures of effects.

RESULTS

Of 73,109,791 delivery hospitalizations, 2,316,963 (3.2%) had ≥1 associated mental health condition diagnosis. The proportion of delivery hospitalizations with a mental health condition increased from 0.6% in 2000 to 7.3% in 2018 (average annual percent change, 11.4%; 95% confidence interval, 10.3%-12.6%). Among deliveries in women with a mental health condition diagnosis, chronic health conditions, including asthma, pregestational diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension, obesity, and substance use, increased from 14.9% in 2000 to 38.5% in 2018. Deliveries to women with a mental health condition diagnosis were associated with severe maternal morbidity (risk ratio, 1.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.86-1.90), preeclampsia and gestational hypertension (risk ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.58-1.60), preterm delivery (risk ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-1.36), postpartum hemorrhage (risk ratio, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.36-1.38), cesarean delivery (risk ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-1.20), and maternal death (risk ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.56). The increased risk was retained in adjusted models.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of delivery hospitalizations with mental health condition diagnoses increased significantly throughout the study period. Mental health condition diagnoses were associated with other underlying chronic health conditions and a modestly increased risk of a range of adverse outcomes. The findings suggested that mental health conditions are an important risk factor in adverse maternal outcomes.

Use of Labor Neuraxial Analgesia for Vaginal Delivery and Severe Maternal Morbidity

IMPORTANCE

Addressing severe maternal morbidity (SMM) is a public health priority in the US. Use of labor neuraxial analgesia for vaginal delivery is suggested to reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of preventable severe maternal morbidity.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between the use of labor neuraxial analgesia for vaginal delivery and SMM.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In this population-based cross-sectional study, women aged 15 to 49 years undergoing their first vaginal delivery were included. Data were taken from hospital discharge records from New York between January 2010 and December 2017. Data were analyzed from November 2020 to November 2021.

EXPOSURES

Neuraxial analgesia (ie, epidural or combined spinal-epidural) vs no neuraxial analgesia.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was SMM, as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the secondary outcome was PPH. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs of SMM associated with neuraxial analgesia were estimated using the inverse propensity score-weighting method and stratified according to race and ethnicity (non-Hispanic White vs racial and ethnic minority women, including non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and other race and ethnicity) and to the comorbidity index for obstetric patients (low-risk vs high-risk women). The proportion of the association of neuraxial analgesia with the risk of SMM mediated through PPH was estimated using mediation analysis.

RESULTS

Of 575 524 included women, the mean (SD) age was 28 (6) years, and 46 065 (8.0%) were non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander, 88 577 (15.4%) were non-Hispanic Black, 104 866 (18.2%) were Hispanic, 258 276 (44.9%) were non-Hispanic White, and 74 534 (13.0%) were other race and ethnicity. A total of 400 346 women (69.6%) were in the low-risk group and 175 178 (30.4%) in the high-risk group, and 272 921 women (47.4%) received neuraxial analgesia. SMM occurred in 7712 women (1.3%), of which 2748 (35.6%) had PPH. Before weighting, the incidence of SMM was 1.3% (3486 of 272 291) with neuraxial analgesia compared with 1.4% (4226 of 302 603) without neuraxial analgesia (risk difference, -0.12 per 100; 95% CI, -0.17 to -0.07). After weighting, the aOR of SMM associated with neuraxial analgesia was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.82-0.90). Decreased risk of SMM associated with neuraxial analgesia was similar between non-Hispanic White women and racial and ethnic minority women and between low-risk and high-risk women. More than one-fifth (21%; 95% CI, 14-28) of the observed association of neuraxial analgesia with the risk of SMM was mediated through the decreased risk of PPH.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Findings from this study suggest that use of neuraxial analgesia for vaginal delivery is associated with a 14% decrease in the risk of SMM. Increasing access to and utilization of labor neuraxial analgesia may contribute to improving maternal health outcomes.

Utilization and Outcomes of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Obstetric Patients in the United States, 1999-2014: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for adult critically ill patients is increasing, but data in obstetric cohorts are scant. This study analyzed ECMO utilization and maternal outcomes in obstetric patients in the United States.

METHODS

Data were abstracted from the 1999-2014 National Inpatient Sample (NIS), a 20% US national representative sample. ECMO hospitalizations (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] code 39.65) in patients ≥15 years of age were categorized into obstetric ECMO and nonobstetric ECMO. Obstetric patients included 4 categories: (1) loss or termination of pregnancy, (2) delivery (term or preterm), (3) postdelivery hospitalization, and (4) pregnancy without an obstetrical outcome. Possible underlying causes for obstetric ECMO were identified by analysis of ICD-9-CM codes in individual records. In-hospital death was abstracted from the NIS, and ECMO complications were identified using ICD-9-CM algorithms. Statistical significance in time-effect was assessed using weighted regression models.

RESULTS

During the 16-year study period, 20,454 adult ECMO cases were identified, of which 331 occurred in obstetric patients (1.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-1.8). Obstetric ECMO utilization rate was 4.7 per million obstetric discharges (95% CI, 4.2-5.2). The top 3 possible indications were sepsis (22.1%), cardiomyopathy (16.6%), and aspiration pneumonia (9.7%). Obstetric ECMO utilization rate increased significantly during the study period from 1.1 per million obstetric discharges in 1999-2002 (95% CI, 0.6-1.7) to 11.2 in 2011-2014 (95% CI, 9.6-12.9), corresponding to a 144.7% increase per 4-year period (95% CI, 115.3-178.1). Compared with nonobstetric ECMO, obstetric ECMO was associated with decreased in-hospital all-cause mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66-0.93). In-hospital all-cause mortality for obstetric ECMO decreased from 73.7% in 1999-2002 (95% CI, 48.8-90.8) to 31.9% in 2011-2014 (95% CI, 25.2-39.1), corresponding to a 26.1% decrease per 4-year period (95% CI, 10.1-39.3). Compared with nonobstetric ECMO, obstetric ECMO was associated with significantly increased risk of both venous thromboembolism without associated pulmonary embolism (aOR 1.83; 95% CI, 1.06-3.15) and of nontraumatic hemoperitoneum (aOR 4.32; 95% CI, 2.41-7.74).

CONCLUSIONS

During the study period, obstetric ECMO utilization has increased significantly and maternal prognosis improved.

Risk for and temporal trends in cesarean surgical complications

OBJECTIVE

It is possible that in the setting of increasing patient comorbidity and obesity, risk for surgical injury and need for reoperation is increasing. It is also possible that with differential uptake of evidence-based recommendations and increasing prevalence of risk factors such as obesity, risk for surgical site complications is increasing. The objective of this study was to evaluate trends in, risk factors for, and racial disparities related to cesarean complications.

METHODS

This repeated cross-sectional study evaluated cesarean deliveries in the 2002-2014 National Inpatient Sample for women age 15-54. The primary outcome was a cesarean surgical complication composite including (i) surgical injuries, (ii) reoperation, and (iii) surgical site complications. Surgical injuries, reoperation, and surgical site complications were additionally evaluated individually as outcomes. Univariable and multivariable log linear regression models including demographic, clinical, and hospital factors were performed to assess risk for outcomes with unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) as measures of association. Temporal trends were estimated using average annual percentage change from a joinpoint regression model. A stratified analysis was performed restricted to non-Hispanic black women. Data was weighted to provide national estimates.

RESULTS

A total of 16.2 million estimated cesarean deliveries (3.2 million unweighted cesarean deliveries) from 2002 to 2014 were included in this analysis. The prevalence of the cesarean surgical complication composite was 1.14%, surgical site complications occurred in 0.60%, surgical injuries in 0.49%, and reoperations in 0.10%. Comparing the end of the study (2012-2014) to the beginning of the study (2002-2003), adjusted risk for the composite was similar (aRR 0.93, 95% CI 0.92, 0.95). In comparison, surgical site complication risk was lower at the end of the study (aRR 0.77, 95% CI 0.75, 0.79) while risks for surgical injury (aRR 1.18, 95% CI 1.15, 1.22) and reoperation (1.18, 95% CI 1.10, 1.26) were higher. Non-Hispanic black women were at increased risk for surgical site complications (aRR 1.83, 95% CI 1.80, 1.87) and reoperation (aRR 1.44, 95% CI 1.37, 1.51), but not surgical injury (aRR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97, 1.02). In analyses stratified for non-Hispanic black women, there was a reduction in risk for surgical site complications at the end of the study period compared to the beginning similar to the primary analysis (aRR 0.76, 95% 0.72, 0.81) with a modest decrease in overall risk for the composite outcome (aRR 0.85, 95% CI 0.81, 0.89).

CONCLUSION

A decrease in risk for surgical site complications was offset by slightly increased risk for surgical injury and reoperation in adjusted analyses. Among non-Hispanic black women, surgical site complication risk decreased proportionately with this group still at significantly higher overall risk.

Risk for and disparities in critical care during delivery hospitalizations

BACKGROUND

Need for critical care during delivery hospitalizations may be an important maternal outcome measure, but it is not well characterized.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to characterize the risks and disparities in critical care diagnoses and interventions during delivery hospitalizations.

STUDY DESIGN

This serial cross-sectional study used the 2000-2014 National Inpatient Sample. Here, the primary outcome was a composite of critical care interventions and diagnoses, including mechanical ventilation and intubation, central monitoring, septicemia, coma, acute cerebrovascular disease, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, Swan-Ganz catheter monitoring, cardiac rhythm conversion, and respiratory failure. Temporal trends, risk of death, and the proportion of deaths with a critical care composite diagnosis were determined. Unadjusted and adjusted log-linear regression models were fit with a critical care composite as the outcome, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and hospital factors. To evaluate the role of critical care interventions in disparities, analyses were stratified by maternal race and ethnicity.

RESULTS

Of 45.8 million deliveries identified, 0.21% had a critical care procedure or diagnosis during the delivery hospitalization. Overall, 75.8% of maternal deaths had an associated diagnosis from a critical care composite. The critical composite increased from 17.9 to 30.3 per 10,000 deliveries from 2000 to 2014 with an average annual percentage change of 3.4% (95% confidence interval, 1.3-5.5). Mechanical ventilation and intubation (21.5% of cases) and respiratory failure (54.8% of cases) were the most common diagnoses present in the composite. Although non-Hispanic black women were at 32.4% higher risk than non-Hispanic white women to die in the setting of a critical care diagnosis (2.2% vs 1.7%; P<.01), they were 162% more likely to have a critical care diagnosis (risk ratio, 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 2.58-2.66). Of clinical factors, primary cesarean delivery (adjusted relative risk, 7.54; 95% confidence interval, 7.43-7.65), postpartum hemorrhage (adjusted relative risk, 5.11; 95% confidence interval, 5.02-5.19), and chronic kidney disease (adjusted relative risk, 4.06; 95% confidence interval, 3.89-4.23) were associated with the highest adjusted risk of a critical care composite.

CONCLUSION

Three-quarters of maternal deaths were associated with a critical care diagnosis or procedure. The rate of critical care during delivery hospitalizations increased over the study period. Maternal mortality disparities may result from risks of conditions that require critical care rather than the care received once a critical care condition has developed.

Temporal trends in the incidence of post-dural puncture headache following labor neuraxial analgesia in the United States, 2006 to 2015

BACKGROUND

Labor neuraxial analgesia utilization has increased in the United States (U.S.) but its impact on maternal safety is unknown. This study analyzed the temporal trends in the incidence of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) in obstetrics.

METHODS

Data for vaginal or intrapartum cesarean deliveries came from the National Inpatient Sample 2006-2015, a U.S. 20% representative sample of hospital discharge records. The outcome was PDPH (ICD-9-CM codes 349.0 and 03.95) categorized into (1) PDPH coded without epidural blood patch (EBP), and (2) PDPH coded with EBP. Temporal trends in incidence were described using the percent change between 2006 and 2015 and its 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Of the 29 011 472 deliveries studied, 86 558 (29.8 per 10 000; 95% CI: 29.3 to 30.2) recorded a diagnosis of PDPH, including 34 019 without EBP (11.7 per 10 000; 95% CI 11.4 to 12.0) and 52 539 with EBP (18.1 per 10 000; 95% CI 17.8 to 18.4). A significant decrease in the incidence of PDPH was observed from 31.5 per 10 000 in 2006 to 29.2 per 10 000 in 2015 (-7.5%; 95% CI -2.2 to -0.5; P=0.001). The decrease in the incidence of PDPH was significant irrespective of the presence of EBP. The decrease was observed in the three categories of hospitals examined (rural, urban non-teaching, and urban teaching).

CONCLUSIONS

During the study period, the reported incidence of PDPH in the U.S. has decreased modestly. Intervention programs are needed to address this persistent and preventable cause of maternal morbidity.

Effect of a stepwise opioid-sparing analgesic protocol on in-hospital oxycodone use and discharge prescription after cesarean delivery

INTRODUCTION

Opioid exposure during hospitalization for cesarean delivery increases the risk of new persistent opioid use. We studied the effectiveness of stepwise multimodal opioid-sparing analgesia in reducing oxycodone use during cesarean delivery hospitalization and prescriptions at discharge.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analyzed electronic health records of consecutive cesarean delivery cases in four academic hospitals in a large metropolitan area, before and after implementation of a stepwise multimodal opioid-sparing analgesic computerized order set coupled with provider education. The primary outcome was the proportion of women not using any oxycodone during in-hospital stay ('non-oxycodone user'). In-hospital secondary outcomes were: (1) total in-hospital oxycodone dose among users, and (2) time to first oxycodone pill. Discharge secondary outcomes were: (1) proportion of oxycodone-free discharge prescription, and (2) number of oxycodone pills prescribed.

RESULTS

The intervention was associated with a significant increase in the proportion of non-oxycodone users from 15% to 32% (17% difference; 95% CI 10 to 25), a decrease in total in-hospital oxycodone dose among users, and no change in the time to first oxycodone dose. The adjusted OR for being a non-oxycodone user associated with the intervention was 2.67 (95% CI 2.12 to 3.50). With the intervention, the proportion of oxycodone-free discharge prescription increased from 4.4% to 8.5% (4.1% difference; 95% CI 2.5 to 5.6) and the number of prescribed oxycodone pills decreased from 30 to 18 (-12 pills difference; 95% CI -11 to -13).

CONCLUSIONS

Multimodal stepwise analgesia after cesarean delivery increases the proportion of oxycodone-free women during in-hospital stay and at discharge.

Exposure to General Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery and Odds of Severe Postpartum Depression Requiring Hospitalization

BACKGROUND

Previous research suggests that, compared with regional anesthesia, general anesthesia is associated with increased odds of postoperative depressive disorders. No study has specifically evaluated the possible protective effect of neuraxial anesthesia for cesarean delivery on maternal mental health compared with general anesthesia. This exploratory study was designed to test the hypothesis that general anesthesia for cesarean delivery is associated with increased odds of severe postpartum depression (PPD) requiring hospitalization compared with neuraxial anesthesia.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included cesarean delivery cases performed in New York State hospitals between January 2006 and December 2013. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) having >1 cesarean delivery during the study period; (2) residing outside of New York State; (3) having a general anesthetic for other surgery or delivery in the previous year or in the year after the index case. The primary outcome was the occurrence of PPD, and the secondary outcomes were: (1) the composite of suicidal ideation or self-inflicted injury (ie, suicidality); (2) anxiety disorders; and (3) posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD). Primary and secondary outcomes were identified during the delivery hospitalization and up to 1 year after delivery. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of adverse psychiatric outcomes associated with general anesthesia were estimated using propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Of the 428,204 cesarean delivery cases included, 34,356 had general anesthesia (8.0%). Severe PPD requiring hospitalization was recorded in 1158 women (2.7/1000; 95% CI, 2.5-2.9); of them, 60% were identified during readmission, with a median of 164 days after discharge. Relative to neuraxial anesthesia, general anesthesia in cesarean delivery was associated with a 54% increased odds of PPD (aOR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.21-1.95) and a 91% increased odds of suicidal ideation or self-inflicted injury (aOR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.12-3.25). There was insufficient evidence in these data that general anesthesia was associated with anxiety disorders (aOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.97-1.95) or PTSD (aOR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.50-4.47).

CONCLUSIONS

General anesthesia for cesarean delivery is associated with increased odds of severe PPD requiring hospitalization, suicidal ideation, and self-inflicted injury. If confirmed, these preliminary findings underscore the need to avoid the use of general anesthesia for cesarean delivery whenever possible, and to provide mental health screening, counseling, and other follow-up services to obstetric patients exposed to general anesthesia.

Anesthesiologists' and Intensive Care Providers' Exposure to COVID-19 Infection in a New York City Academic Center: A Prospective Cohort Study Assessing Symptoms and COVID-19 Antibody Testing

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Protecting first-line health care providers against work-related Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection at the onset of the pandemic has been a crucial challenge in the United States. Anesthesiologists in particular are considered at risk, since aerosol-generating procedures, such as intubation and extubation, have been shown to significantly increase the odds for respiratory infections during severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreaks. This study assessed the incidence of COVID-19–like symptoms and thepresence of COVID-19 antibodies after work-related COVID-19 exposures, among physicians working in a large academic hospital in New York City (NYC).

Prevalence of malignant hyperthermia diagnosis in obstetric patients in the United States, 2003 to 2014

Background

The cost-benefit of stocking dantrolene in maternity units for treating malignant hyperthermia (MH) has been recently questioned because of the low incidence of MH crisis in the general population and the low utilization of general anesthesia in obstetrics. However, no study has examined the prevalence of MH susceptibility in obstetrics. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of MH diagnosis and associated factors in obstetric patients.

Methods

Data for this study came from the National Inpatient Sample from 2003 to 2014, a 20% nationally representative sample of discharge records from community hospitals. A diagnosis of MH due to anesthesia was identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 995.86. MH prevalence was estimated according to the delivery mode and patient and hospital characteristics.

Results

During the 12-year study period, 47,178,322 delivery-related discharges [including 15,175,127 (32.2%) cesarean deliveries] were identified. Of them, 215 recorded a diagnosis of MH, yielding a prevalence of 0.46 per 100,000 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.40 to 0.52]. The prevalence of MH diagnosis in cesarean deliveries was 0.81 per 100,000 (95% CI, 0.67 to 0.97), compared with 0.29 per 100,000 (95% CI, 0.23 to 0.35) in vaginal deliveries (P <  0.001). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that cesarean delivery was associated with a significantly increased risk of MH diagnosis [adjusted rate ratio (aOR) 2.88; 95% CI, 2.19 to 3.80]. Prevalence of MH diagnosis was lower in Hispanics than in non-Hispanic whites (aOR 0.47; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.76) and higher in the South than in the Northeast census regions (aOR 2.44; 95% CI, 1.50 to 3.96).

Conclusion

The prevalence of MH-susceptibility is about 1 in 125,000 in cesarean deliveries, similar to the prevalence reported in non-obstetrical surgery inpatients. The findings of this study suggest that stocking dantrolene in maternity units is justified.

Postoperative Cardiac Troponin I Thresholds Associated With 1-Year Cardiac Mortality After Adult Cardiac Surgery: An Attempt to Link Risk Stratification With Management Stratification in an Observational Study

OBJECTIVES

Cardiac troponin (cTn) concentrations are measured routinely in some centers after cardiac surgery as part of risk stratification, but there are no data on how increased cTn concentrations could change patients' management. The aim of this study was to estimate relevant cTnI thresholds and identify potential interventions (additional monitoring/therapeutic interventions) that could be part of management changes of patients with cTnI greater than relevant thresholds.

DESIGN

Retrospective, single-center, observational study.

SETTING

Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, Paris, France, between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2012.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

cTnI was measured on the 20th postoperative hour. Causes of death and possible interventions were determined by analysis of individual medical records. cTnI thresholds for 1-year cardiac mortality with a specificity >80% were calculated. For this study, 3,228 procedures were analyzed; 129 deaths occurred (4%), 83 of which (2.6%) were cardiac deaths. Threshold cTnI values were 4.2 µg/L for coronary artery bypass grafting (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.9-4.5) and 10.7 µg/L for non-coronary artery bypass grafting (95% CI 10.0-11.3). In multivariable analysis, the EuroSCORE II (odds ratio 1.1 [95% CI 1.06-1.13]; p < 0.001) and cTnI concentrations greater than the thresholds (odds ratio 5.62 [95% CI 3.37-9.37]; p < 0.001) were associated with significantly increased risk of death. The additive and absolute Net Reclassification Index were 0.288% and 14.1%, respectively, for a logistic model including cTnI and EuroSCORE II (area under the curve C-index 0.82 [95% CI 0.77-0.87]) compared with a model including only EuroSCORE II (area under the curve C-index 0.80 [95% CI 0.75-0.84]). Fifty-three of the 83 patients who experienced cardiac death (64%) had a cTnI concentration greater than the threshold, and an intervention was deemed possible in 47 of those 53 (89%) (mostly patients with mild postoperative cardiac dysfunction). For noncardiac deaths, 28% of patients had a cTnI concentration greater than the threshold and no interventions were deemed possible.

CONCLUSIONS

In an attempt to evolve from risk to management stratification, this study's results identified a subgroup of patients with mild cardiac dysfunction and a cTnI concentration greater than the threshold who could be the target for interventions in future validation studies concerning changes in patient management.

Retrospective study of anaesthetic management of pregnancy patients with mechanical heart valve prosthesis and anticoagulants

Pregnancies among patients with a mechanical prosthetic valve and receiving anticoagulant medication are rare. Informations about their anesthetic management is poor. The objective of this study was to investigate the anaesthetic management of these patients in a reference medical centre as well as to identify possible ways for improvement. To this aim, the medical records of patients with a mechanical heart valve prosthesis having given birth at our center were analysed. In particular, the characteristics of patients and deliveries, the management of anticoagulation, as well as the type of anaesthesia performed, were collected and analysed. Eighteen cases were studied and compared to 36 controls. All studied cases were being administered anticoagulants. Five of these 8 patients delivered vaginally, one with epidural analgesia. Three of them have had a caesarean during labor, all under general anaesthesia. During the anticoagulation window, the teams had to perform an epidural in 3 (37%) of these 8 patients. Ten cases (55%) had a planned caesarean delivery, all performed under general anaesthesia. The anticoagulation interruption allowed spinal anaesthesia for 4 out of 10 caesarean delivery. The reoperation rate for secondary haemorrhage was significantly higher (P=0.0032) and the duration of the hospitalisation was extended (P<0.001). A context of anticoagulant overdose was identified in 60% of the bleeding cases. Progress can be made in the anaesthetic management of those patients by optimising the use of neuraxial anaesthesia and by improving the management of bleeding risk after delivery.

Risk Factors and Risk Stratification for Adverse Obstetrical Outcomes After Appendectomy or Cholecystectomy During Pregnancy

Importance

Identification of risk factors for adverse obstetrical outcomes after appendectomy and cholecystectomy during pregnancy is necessary for evidence-based risk reduction and adequate patient counseling.

Objectives

To identify risk factors for adverse obstetrical outcomes after appendectomy and cholecystectomy during pregnancy and stratify the risk of such outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cohort study was conducted using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a nationally representative sample of patients discharged from community hospitals in the United States, from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2012. Multivariable analysis of risk factors for adverse obstetric outcomes was performed for 19 926 women undergoing appendectomy or cholecystectomy during pregnancy and a scoring system for such risk factors was developed. Data analysis was conducted from January 1, 2015, to July 31, 2016.

Main Outcomes and Measures

A composite measure including 7 adverse obstetrical outcomes throughout pregnancy and occurring before hospital discharge.

Results

Of the 19 926 women (mean [SD] age, 26 [6] years) in the study, 1018 adverse obstetrical events were recorded in 953 pregnant women (4.8%). The 3 most frequent adverse events were preterm delivery (360 [35.4%]), preterm labor without preterm delivery (269 [26.4%]), and miscarriage (262 [25.7%]). The risk factors associated most strongly with an adverse obstetrical outcome included cervical incompetence (adjusted odds ratio, 24.29; 95% CI, 7.48-78.81), preterm labor during current pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio, 18.34; 95% CI, 4.95-67.96), vaginitis or vulvovaginitis (adjusted odds ratio, 5.17; 95% CI, 2.19-12.23), and sepsis (adjusted odds ratio, 3.39; 95% CI, 2.08-5.51). A scoring system based on statistically significant variables classified the study sample into 3 risk groups corresponding to predicted probabilities of adverse obstetrical outcomes of 2.5% (≤4 points), 8.2% (5-8 points), and 21.8% (≥9 points).

Conclusions and Relevance

Approximately 5% of women experience adverse obstetrical outcomes after appendectomy or cholecystectomy during pregnancy. The major risk factors for such outcomes are cervical incompetence, preterm labor during current pregnancy, vaginitis or vulvovaginitis, and sepsis.

Pattern and consequences of cardiologic medications management for patients with elevated troponin I upon admission into an intensive care unit not linked to type 1 acute myocardial infarction: A prospective observational cohort study

OBJECTIVES

No recommendations are currently available to help the clinician with the pharmacological management of intensive care unit (ICU) patients with elevated cardiac troponin (cTn) not linked to type 1 AMI. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of cardiologic medications for patients with elevated cTnI in ICU not link to type 1 AMI and their effects on in-hospital mortality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective observational cohort study conducted in two ICU units. Patients with increased plasma concentration of cTnI at admission not linked to type 1 AMI were consecutively included.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety of the 835 patients admitted (23%) had an increased plasma concentration of cTnI not related to type 1 AMI. Antiplatelet therapy (AT) and statin were prescribed in 56 (29.5%) and 50 (26.3%) of patients, respectively. Others cardiologic medications were prescribed in less than 5% of all cases and were considered as contraindicated in more than 50% of cases. Antiplatelet therapy was the only cardiologic treatment associated with reduction of in-hospital mortality following uni- and multivariate analysis. The death rate was 23% and 40% in these patients treated with and without AT, respectively (aOR=0.39 [95% CI: 0.15-0.97]).

CONCLUSIONS

Statin and AT were frequently prescribed to patients with a cTnI elevation not linked to type 1 AMI. This study suggests that AT in patients with an increased plasma concentration of cTnI, not related to type 1 AMI in ICU, could reduce in-hospital mortality.

Prophylactic Ondansetron for the Prevention of Intrathecal Fentanyl- or Sufentanil-Mediated Pruritus: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

BACKGROUND

Pruritus is a common side effect of intrathecal fentanyl or sufentanil that decreases patient satisfaction and may delay hospital discharge. There are conflicting reports about the efficacy of prophylactic ondansetron in reducing the incidence of pruritus. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of prophylactic ondansetron on the incidence of intrathecal fentanyl- or sufentanil-mediated pruritus and the need for rescue treatment.

METHODS

A systematic search on PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1, 1994, to January 1, 2014, was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of prophylactic ondansetron on pruritus associated with intrathecal fentanyl or sufentanil were included. The primary outcome was the incidence of pruritus, and the secondary outcome was patients' need for rescue therapy. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the outcomes in obstetric and nonobstetric patients and in patients who received ondansetron before or after intrathecal opioid injection. Analyses used random-effect models.

RESULTS

Six randomized controlled trials involving 555 patients were included. In the overall analysis, prophylactic ondansetron did not significantly decrease the incidence of pruritus, but there was a trend toward reduced rescue medication use (risk ratio [RR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.91; I = 0%; P = 0.02). Exploratory subgroups, including nonobstetric surgery patients and patients who received ondansetron before spinal opioid administration, also suggest a trend toward less rescue medication use (RR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.26-0.85; P = 0.01; and RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.38-1.00; P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

IV 8 mg prophylactic ondansetron does not decrease the incidence of fentanyl- or sufentanil-mediated pruritus but may decrease the need for pruritus rescue medication, particularly in specific subgroups. Randomized trials are needed to confirm these results.

Characteristics and outcomes of anti-infective de-escalation during health care-associated intra-abdominal infections

Background

De-escalation is strongly recommended for antibiotic stewardship. No studies have addressed this issue in the context of health care-associated intra-abdominal infections (HCIAI). We analyzed the factors that could interfere with this process and their clinical consequences in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with HCIAI.

Methods

All consecutive patients admitted for the management of HCIAI who survived more than 3 days following their diagnosis, who remained in the ICU for more than 3 days, and who did not undergo early reoperation during the first 3 days were analyzed prospectively in an observational, single-center study in a tertiary care university hospital.

Results

Overall, 311 patients with HCIAI were admitted to the ICU. De-escalation was applied in 110 patients (53 %), and no de-escalation was reported in 96 patients (47 %) (escalation in 65 [32 %] and unchanged regimen in 31 [15 %]). Lower proportions of Enterococcus faecium, nonfermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB), and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were cultured in the de-escalation group. No clinical difference was observed at day 7 between patients who were de-escalated and those who were not. Determinants of de-escalation in multivariate analysis were adequate empiric therapy (OR 9.60, 95 % CI 4.02–22.97) and empiric use of vancomycin (OR 3.39, 95 % CI 1.46–7.87), carbapenems (OR 2.64, 95 % CI 1.01–6.91), and aminoglycosides (OR 2.31 95 % CI 1.08–4.94). The presence of NFGNB (OR 0.28, 95 % CI 0.09–0.89) and the presence of MDR bacteria (OR 0.21, 95 % CI 0.09–0.52) were risk factors for non-de-escalation. De-escalation did not change the overall duration of therapy. The risk factors for death at day 28 were presence of fungi (HR 2.64, 95 % CI 1.34–5.17), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score on admission (HR 1.29, 95 % CI 1.16–1.42), and age (HR 1.03, 95 % CI 1.01–1.05). The survival rate expressed by a Kaplan-Meier curve was similar between groups (log-rank test p value 0.176).

Conclusions

De-escalation is a feasible option in patients with polymicrobial infections such as HCIAI, but MDR organisms and NFGNB limit its implementation.

Dynamic changes of microbial flora and therapeutic consequences in persistent peritonitis

Introduction

Persistent peritonitis is a frequent complication of secondary peritonitis requiring additional reoperations and antibiotic therapy. This situation raises specific concerns due to microbiological changes in peritoneal samples, especially the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. Although this complication has been extensively studied, the rate and dynamics of MDR strains have rarely been analysed.

Methods

We compared the clinical, microbiological and therapeutic data of consecutive ICU patients admitted for postoperative peritonitis either without subsequent reoperation (n = 122) or who underwent repeated surgery for persistent peritonitis with positive peritoneal fluid cultures (n = 98). Data collected on index surgery for the treatment of postoperative peritonitis were compared between these two groups. In the patients with persistent peritonitis, the data obtained at the first, second and third reoperations were compared with those of index surgery. Risk factors for emergence of MDR strains were assessed.

Results

At the time of index surgery, no parameters were able to differentiate patients with or without persistent peritonitis except for increased severity and high proportions of fungal isolates in the persistent peritonitis group. The mean time to reoperation was similar from the first to the third reoperation (range: 5 to 6 days). Septic shock was the main clinical expression of persistent peritonitis. A progressive shift of peritoneal flora was observed with the number of reoperations, comprising extinction of susceptible strains and emergence of 85 MDR strains. The proportion of patients harbouring MDR strains increased from 41% at index surgery, to 49% at the first, 54% at the second (P = 0.037) and 76% at the third reoperation (P = 0.003 versus index surgery). In multivariate analysis, the only risk factor for emergence of MDR strains was time to reoperation (OR 1.19 per day, 95%CI (1.08 to 1.33), P = 0.0006).

Conclusions

Initial severity, presence of Candida in surgical samples and inadequate source control are the major risk factors for persistent peritonitis. Emergence of MDR bacteria is frequent and increases progressively with the number of reoperations. No link was demonstrated between emergence of MDR strains and antibiotic regimens, while source control and its timing appeared to be major determinants of emergence of MDR strains.

[Anaesthetic management of patients with bicuspid aortic valve for delivery. About two consecutive cases]

Cardiac diseases are the second cause of non-obstetrical death during pregnancy in France. Bicuspid aortic valve is the most frequent congenital cardiac disease but its characteristics are little known. We report two consecutive cases of pregnant patients with aortic bicuspidy, one with a severe aortic stenosis and one with a severe dilatation of the ascending aorta. We describe the anaesthetic management of delivery for these two cases and summarize the current recommendations for management of this condition during pregnancy.

Pregnancy outcomes among women with Marfan syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To determine cardiac and obstetric outcomes among women with Marfan syndrome (MS) whose pregnancies were managed in accordance with the French national guidelines.

METHODS

A descriptive analysis was conducted for a prospective cohort of 18 women with MS who gave birth in the maternity unit of Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital, Paris, France, between January 1, 1998, and May 31, 2011. The study hospital was the national referral center for MS and related diseases.

RESULTS

A total of 22 pregnancies were recorded among the study cohort. Of these, 21 were managed according to the national guidelines. One woman who was referred to the study hospital during late pregnancy was not managed according to the national guidelines; this patient experienced aortic dissection at 37 weeks. In the cohort, aortic diameter did not increase significantly during pregnancy. Vascular fetal growth restriction was observed in 7 (31.8 %) of the pregnancies. Cesarean delivery was planned for 17 (77.3%) of the pregnancies.

CONCLUSION

Risk of aortic dissection was low among a cohort of pregnant women with MS who were managed according to the French national guidelines.

Assessment of pain during labor with pupillometry: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Pain intensity is usually self-rated by patients with a numeric rating scale (NRS) but this scale cannot be used for noncommunicating patients. In anesthetized patients, experimental noxious stimulus increases pupillary diameter (PD) and pupillary light reflex amplitude (PLRA), the difference between PD before and after light stimulation. Labor pain is an intense acute nonexperimental stimulus, effectively relieved by epidural analgesia. In this prospective observational study, we therefore describe the effects of labor pain and pain relief with epidural analgesia on PD and PLRA, determine their association with pain intensity and determine the ability of a single measurement of PD or PLRA to assess pain.

METHODS

In the first stage, pain (11-point NRS), PD, and PLRA were measured in 4 conditions in 26 laboring women: before and after epidural analgesia and in the presence and absence of a uterine contraction. Pupillometry values among the 4 conditions were compared, and the strength of the association between absolute values of pain and PD or PLRA and between pain and changes in PD or PLRA brought about by uterine contraction was assessed with r(2). In the second stage, 1 measurement was performed in 104 laboring women. The strength of the association between pain and PD or PLRA was assessed with r(2). The ability of PD or PLRA to discriminate pain (NRS > 4) was also assessed.

RESULTS

In the first stage, a statistically significant increase in pain, PD, and PLRA was observed during a contraction, and this change was abolished after epidural analgesia. The r(2) for the association between pain and changes in PD (r(2) = 0.25 [95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.46] or PLRA (r(2) = 0.34 [0.14-0.56]) brought about by a uterine contraction was higher than the r(2) for the association between pain and absolute values of PD (r(2) = 0.14 [0.04-0.28]) or PLRA (r(2) = 0.22 [0.10-0.37]) suggesting a stronger association for changes than for absolute values. In the second stage, r(2) was 0.23 [0.10-0.38] for PD and 0.26 [0.11-0.40] for PLRA and the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.82 [0.73-0.91] and 0.80 [0.71-0.89], respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in PD and PLRA brought about by a uterine contraction may be used as a tool to assess analgesia in noncommunicating patients.

Cough reflex sensitivity after elective Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia and after vaginal delivery

BACKGROUND

In pregnancy, airway oedema and heartburn may increase cough sensitivity, whereas spinal anaesthesia (SA) with local anaesthetics and opiates may decrease it. Decreased cough sensitivity increases the risk for pneumonia or retained secretions. The aim of this study was to determine whether cough sensitivity is increased in pregnant patients and if it is decreased after planned Caesarean section (CS) under SA.

METHODS

Twenty-seven non-pregnant volunteers, 27 patients after vaginal delivery (VD group), and 28 patients after CS under SA (CS group) were studied. For SA, hyperbaric bupivacaine 8-12 mg, sufentanil 5 microg, and morphine 100 microg was given. Increasing concentrations of nebulized citric acid were delivered until eliciting cough. The concentration eliciting one (C1) and two coughs (C2) were recorded and log transformed for analysis (log C1 and log C2).

RESULTS

Median (inter-quartile) log C1 was 1.3 (0.6) mg ml(-1) in the VD group, 1.6 (0.6) mg ml(-1) in the non-pregnant group (P < 0.01 vs VD group), and 2.2 (0.7) mg ml(-1) in the CS group (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.01 vs VD and non-pregnant groups, respectively). Similar results were observed with log C2. In CS group, log C1 and log C2 remained increased up to 4 h after SA.

CONCLUSIONS

Cough sensitivity was increased after VD but decreased for up to 4 h after SA.