Care for the Obstetric Patient with Complex Cardiac Disease

The prevalence of cardiac disease-related maternal morbidity and mortality is on the rise in the United States. To ensure safe management of pregnancy in patients with cardiovascular disease, pre-delivery evaluation by a multidisciplinary Pregnancy Heart Team should occur. Appropriate anesthetic, cardiac, and obstetric care are essential. Risk stratification tools evaluate the etiology and severity of cardiovascular disease to determine the appropriate hospital type and location for delivery and anesthetic management. Intrapartum hemodynamic monitoring may need to be intensified, and neuraxial analgesia and anesthesia are generally appropriate. The anesthesiologist must be prepared for obstetric and cardiac emergencies.

Effect of an oxytocin protocol on secondary uterotonic use in patients undergoing Cesarean delivery

PURPOSE

Protocol-driven oxytocin regimens can reduce oxytocin administration compared with a nonprotocol free-flow continuous infusion. Our aim was to compare secondary uterotonic use between a modified "rule of threes" oxytocin protocol and a free-flow continuous oxytocin infusion after Cesarean delivery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective before-and-after study to compare patients who underwent Cesarean delivery between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2013 (preprotocol) with patients who underwent Cesarean delivery between 1 January 2015 and 31 August 2017 (postprotocol). The preprotocol group received free-flow oxytocin administration and the postprotocol group received oxytocin according to a modified rule of threes algorithm. The primary outcome was secondary uterotonic use and the secondary outcomes included blood transfusion, hemoglobin value < 8 g·dL-1, and estimated blood loss.

RESULTS

In total, 4,010 Cesarean deliveries were performed in 3,637 patients (2,262 preprotocol and 1,748 postprotocol). The odds of receiving secondary uterotonic drugs were increased in the postprotocol group (odds ratio [OR], 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 1.70; P = 0.02). Patients in the postprotocol group were less likely to receive a blood transfusion. Nevertheless, the two groups were similar for the composite end point of transfusion or hemoglobin < 8 g·dL-1 (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.11; P = 0.25). The odds of an estimated blood loss greater than 1,000 mL were reduced in the postprotocol group (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.84; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients in the modified rule of threes oxytocin protocol group were more likely to receive a secondary uterotonic than those in the preprotocol group. Estimated blood loss and transfusion outcomes were similar.

Anesthetic Care of the Pregnant Patient With Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

The pregnancy-related mortality rate in the United States is excessively high. The American Heart Association is dedicated to fighting heart disease and recognizes that cardiovascular disease, preexisting or acquired during pregnancy, is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States. Comprehensive scientific statements from cardiology and obstetrics experts guide the treatment of cardio-obstetric patients before, during, and after pregnancy. This scientific statement aims to highlight the role of specialized cardio-obstetric anesthesiology care, presenting a systematic approach to the care of these patients from the anesthesiology perspective. The anesthesiologist is a critical part of the pregnancy heart team as the perioperative physician who is trained to prevent or promptly recognize and treat patients with peripartum cardiovascular decompensation. Maternal morbidity is attenuated with expert anesthesiology peripartum care, which includes the management of neuraxial anesthesia, inotrope and vasopressor support, transthoracic echocardiography, optimization of delivery location, and consideration of advanced critical care and mechanical support when needed. Standardizing the anesthesiology approach to patients with high peripartum cardiovascular risk and ensuring that cardio-obstetrics patients have access to the appropriate care team, facilities, and advanced cardiovascular therapies will contribute to improving peripartum morbidity and mortality.

Peripartum anesthetic management in patients with Ebstein anomaly: a case series

Ebstein anomaly is a rare congenital cardiac condition associated with displacement and incompetence of the tricuspid valve. Peripartum anesthetic management can be particularly challenging since these patients are at high risk of cardiac failure and tachyarrhythmias. Risk stratification is important since it helps to identify high-risk patients who should deliver at a tertiary care center where a multidisciplinary team (obstetrics, cardiology, anesthesiology, and neonatology) is immediately available. We describe the peripartum anesthetic management of 9 patients with Ebstein anomaly who underwent 12 deliveries at our institution. All patients tolerated neuraxial anesthesia and analgesia well. No maternal or fetal deaths occurred.

Peripartum anesthetic management in patients with left ventricular noncompaction: a case series and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

This retrospective review focuses on peripartum anesthetic management and outcome of a series of five pregnant women with left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC).

METHODS

The Mayo Clinic Advanced Cohort Explorer medical database was utilized to identify women diagnosed with LVNC who had been admitted for delivery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota between January 2001 and September 2021. Echocardiograms were independently reviewed by two board-certified echocardiographers, and those determined by both to meet the Jenni criteria and/or having compatible findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included. Electronic medical records were reviewed for information pertaining to cardiac function, labor, delivery, and postpartum management.

RESULTS

We identified 44 patients whose medical record included the term "noncompaction" or "hypertrabeculation" and who had delivered at our institution during the study period. Upon detailed review of the medical records, 36 did not meet criteria for LVNC, and three additional patients did not receive the diagnosis until after delivery, leaving five patients with confirmed LVNC who had undergone six deliveries during the study interval. All five patients had a history of arrhythmias or had developed arrhythmias during pregnancy. One patient underwent emergency cesarean delivery due to sustained ventricular tachycardia requiring three intra-operative cardioversions.

CONCLUSIONS

This case series adds new evidence to that already available about pregnancies among women with LVNC. Favorable obstetrical outcomes were achievable when multidisciplinary teams were prepared to manage the maternal and fetal consequences of intrapartum cardiac arrhythmias and hemodynamic instability.

Impact of Mentorship, by Gender, on Career Trajectory in an Academic Anesthesiology Department: A Survey Study

INTRODUCTION

Mentorship has been identified as a key component of success in business and in academic medicine.

METHODS

After institutional review board approval of the study, an email survey was sent to anesthesiologists in one anesthesiology department to assess mentorship status. A survey link was sent to nonrespondents at 2 weeks and 4 weeks. All participants were deidentified. The identification of a mentor was compared by gender, academic rank, and years of practice.

RESULTS

Among 233 anesthesiologists, 103 (44.2%) responded to the survey. More than 90% of survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed that having a mentor is important to career success. Of the 103 respondents, 31 (30%) indicated they had a mentor. Overall, 84% of the identified mentors were men; however, this percentage differed significantly between men and women respondents (95% versus 60%; P = .03). Characteristics associated with having a mentor included younger age (P = .007), fewer years since finishing training (P = .004), and working full time (P = .02). For respondent age and years since finishing training, there was some evidence that the association was dependent on the gender of the respondent (age-by-gender interaction, P = .08; experience-by-gender interaction, P = .08).

DISCUSSION

Anesthesiologists in this department believed that mentorship led to more academic success. Few women mentors were reported, and women were unlikely to identify a mentor once advanced past an assistant professor rank. Most respondents believed that mentorship was important for overall career success, but only approximately one-third identified a mentor at the time of the survey.

Analgesic considerations for induction of labor

Induction of labor may be indicated to minimize maternal and fetal risks. The rate of induction is likely to increase as recent evidence supports elective induction at 39 weeks gestation. We review methods of induction and then analgesic options as they relate to indications and methods to induce labor. We specifically focus on parturients at high risk for anesthetic complications including those requiring anticoagulation, and those with cardiac disease, obesity, chorioamnionitis, prior spinal instrumentation, elevated intracranial pressure, known or anticipated difficult airway, thrombocytopenia, and preeclampsia. Guidelines regarding timing of anticoagulation dosing with neuraxial anesthetic techniques have been defined through consensus statements. Early epidural placement may be beneficial in patients with cardiac disease, obesity, anticipated difficult airway, and HELLP syndrome. Questions remain regarding how early is too early for epidural placement, what options are safest for patients with bacteremia, and what pain relief should be offered to those unable to tolerate cervical exams in early labor.

Obstetric Anesthetic Management for Parturients with Hereditary Angioedema: A Case Report and Suggested Protocol

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a disease manifested by repeated episodes of localized submucosal or subcutaneous edematous episodes, potentially triggered by emotional stress, mechanical trauma, or intake of estrogens. We present our experience managing two parturients with HAE. Multidisciplinary care is essential for planning and executing the specialized care of these patients, and management included extensive planning among obstetric, anesthesiology, and allergy and immunology teams. Pregnancy has been shown to have a variable effect on triggering HAE episodes. First-line treatment includes C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate, which can also be used for prophylaxis in high-risk patients. Neuraxial analgesia is recommended to avoid general anesthesia and was established early in both individuals. Vaginal delivery was well tolerated without need for emergent treatment for angioedema symptoms.

Toward Eliminating Perinatal Comfort Care for Prenatally Diagnosed Severe Congenital Heart Defects: A Vision

Over the past 40 years, the medical and surgical management of congenital heart disease has advanced considerably. However, substantial room for improvement remains for certain lesions that have high rates of morbidity and mortality. Although most congenital cardiac conditions are well tolerated during fetal development, certain abnormalities progress in severity over the course of gestation and impair the development of other organs, such as the lungs or airways. It follows that intervention during gestation could potentially slow or reverse elements of disease progression and improve prognosis for certain congenital heart defects. In this review, we detail specific congenital cardiac lesions that may benefit from fetal intervention, some of which already have documented improved outcomes with fetal interventions, and the state-of-the-science in each of these areas. This review includes the most relevant studies from a PubMed database search from 1970 to the present using key words such as fetal cardiac, fetal intervention, fetal surgery, and EXIT procedure. Fetal intervention in congenital cardiac surgery is an exciting frontier that promises further improvement in congenital heart disease outcomes. When fetuses who can benefit from fetal intervention are identified and appropriately referred to centers of excellence in this area, patient care will improve.

Creating a model to predict time intervals from induction of labor to induction of anesthesia and delivery to coordinate workload

BACKGROUND

Induction of labor continues to become more common. We analyzed induction of labor and timing of obstetric and anesthesia work to create a model to predict the induction-anesthesia interval and the induction-delivery interval in order to co-ordinate workload to occur when staff are most available.

METHODS

Patients who underwent induction of labor at a single medical center were identified and multivariable linear regression was used to model anesthesia and delivery times. Data were collected on date of birth, race/ethnicity, body mass index, gestational age, gravidity, parity, indication for labor induction, number of prior deliveries, time of induction, induction agent, cervical dilation, effacement, and fetal station on admission, date and time of anesthesia administration, date and time of delivery, and delivery type.

RESULTS

A total of 1746 women met inclusion criteria. Associations which significantly influenced time from induction of labor to anesthesia and delivery included maternal age (anesthesia P <0.001, delivery P =0.002), body mass index (both P <0.001), prior vaginal delivery (both P <0.001), gestational age (anesthesia P <0.001, delivery P <0.018), simplified Bishop score (both P <0.001), and first induction agent (both P <0.001). Induction of labor of nulliparous women at 02:00 h and parous women at 04:00 or 05:00 h had the highest estimated probability of the mother having her first anesthesia encounter and delivering during optimally staffed hours when our institution's specialty personnel are most available.

CONCLUSIONS

Time to obstetric and anesthesia tasks can be estimated to optimize induction of labor start times, and shift anesthesia and delivery workload to hours when staff are most available.

Sequential Minimally Invasive Fetal Interventions for Two Life-Threatening Conditions: A Novel Approach

INTRODUCTION

In utero interventions are performed in fetuses with "isolated" major congenital anomalies to improve neonatal outcomes and quality of life. Sequential in utero interventions to treat 2 anomalies in 1 fetus have not yet been described.

CASE PRESENTATION

Here, we report a fetus with a large left-sided intralobar bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) causing mediastinal shift, a small extralobar BPS, and concomitant severe left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). At 26-week gestation, the BPS was noted to be increasing in size with a significant reduction in right lung volume and progression to fetal hydrops. The fetus underwent ultrasound-guided ablation of the BPS feeding vessel leading to complete tumor regression. However, lung development remained poor (O/E-LHR: 0.22) due to the left-sided CDH, prompting fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion therapy at 28-week gestation to allow increased lung growth. After vaginal delivery, the newborn underwent diaphragmatic repair with resection of the extralobar sequestration. He was discharged home with tracheostomy on room air at 9 months.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Sequential in utero interventions to treat 2 severe major anomalies in the same fetus have not been previously described. This approach may be a useful alternative in select cases with otherwise high morbidity/mortality. Further studies are required to confirm our hypothesis.

Fetal Surgery in the Era of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Single-Institution Review

Objective

To cope with the changing health care services in the era of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We share the institutional framework for the management of anomalous fetuses requiring fetal intervention at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. To assess the success of our program during this time, we compare intraoperative outcomes of fetal interventions performed during the pandemic with the previous year.

Patients

We implemented our testing protocol on patients undergoing fetal intervention at our institution between March 1, and May 15, 2020, and we compared it with same period a year before. A total of 17 pregnant patients with anomalous fetuses who met criteria for fetal intervention were included: 8 from 2019 and 9 from 2020.

Methods

Our testing protocol was designed based on our institutional perinatal guidelines, surgical requirements from the infection prevention and control (IPAC) committee, and input from our fetal surgery team, with focus on urgency of procedure and maternal SARS-CoV-2 screening status. We compared the indications, types of procedures, maternal age, gestational age at procedure, type of anesthesia used, and duration of procedure for cases performed at our institution between March 1, 2020, and May 15, 2020, and for the same period in 2019.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences among the number of cases, indications, types of procedures, maternal age, gestational age, types of anesthesia, and duration of procedures (P values were all >.05) between the pre–SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2019 and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020.

Conclusions

Adoption of new institutional protocols during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, with appropriate screening and case selection, allows provision of necessary fetal intervention with maximal benefit to mother, fetus, and health care provider.

In Utero Restoration of Hindbrain Herniation in Fetal Myelomeningocele as Part of Prenatal Regenerative Therapy Program at Mayo Clinic

OBJECTIVE

To assess our initial experience with prenatal restoration of hindbrain herniation following in utero repair of myelomeningocele (MMC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three consecutive patients with prenatally diagnosed MMC (between January 1, 2018 and September 30, 2018) were managed with open in utero surgery. As per institutional review board approval and following a protocol designed at the Mayo Clinic Maternal & Fetal Center, fetal intervention was offered between 19 0/7 and 25 6/7 weeks of gestation. Prenatal improvement of hindbrain herniation was the declared restorative end point. Obstetrical and perinatal outcomes were also assessed.

RESULTS

Diagnosis of MMC was confirmed upon referral between 20 and 21 weeks' gestation by using fetal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. In all cases reported here, the spinal defect was lumbosacral with evidence of hindbrain herniation. Open in utero MMC repair was performed between 24 and 25 weeks' gestation with no notable perioperative complications. Postprocedure fetal magnetic resonance imaging performed 6 weeks after in utero repair documented improvement of hindbrain herniation. Deliveries were at 37 weeks by cesarean section without complications. Most recent postnatal follow-ups were unremarkable at both 11 months (baby 1) and 3 months of age (baby 2), with mild ventriculomegaly. Antenatal and postnatal follow-up of baby 3 at 1 month of age was also unremarkable.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the prenatal restoration of hindbrain herniation following in utero MMC repair in all cases presented here as an example of a prenatal regenerative therapy program in our institution.

Management of Supraventricular Tachycardia in Pregnancy

Supraventricular tachycardia is a common arrhythmia in pregnancy. During labor and delivery, neuraxial analgesia is important to prevent arrhythmia recurrence. We present the case of a 27-year-old gravida 2 para 1 woman at 35 weeks' gestation presenting with supraventricular tachycardia that converted to normal sinus rhythm with adenosine. To prevent recurrence of the arrhythmia, an early epidural was provided during labor to minimize catecholamine release.

Need for additional anesthesia after single injection spinal analgesia for labor: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

There is little information about the use and efficacy of single injection spinal blocks for labor analgesia; specifically, how frequently subsequent analgesia or anesthesia is needed. This study determined how frequently an additional anesthetic intervention was needed in women who received single injection spinal analgesia.

METHODS

This retrospective study examined electronic medical records to find all single injection spinal analgesic blocks for labor analgesia over a 14-year (2003-2016) period. Patient and block characteristics and patient outcomes were recorded. The primary outcome was need for an additional anesthetic intervention following single injection spinal for labor analgesia.

RESULTS

Four-hundred-and-twenty-eight patients received single injection spinal blocks for labor and 60 (14.0%) needed an additional anesthetic either for labor analgesia (n=49) or an unexpected procedure (n=11). Two of these (0.5%) required general anesthesia. Parity of zero (nulliparous), a low cervical dilation at the time of the spinal injection, and induction of labor status, were associated with an increased risk of needing an additional anesthetic intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective review provides evidence that single injection spinal anesthesia may be used for multiparous women with spontaneous labor and more advanced cervical dilation.

Fetoscopic Therapy for Severe Pulmonary Hypoplasia in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A First in Prenatal Regenerative Medicine at Mayo Clinic

OBJECTIVE

To introduce the prenatal regenerative medicine service at Mayo Clinic for fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) care for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two cases of prenatal management of severe CDH with FETO between January and August 2017 are reported. Per protocol, FETO was offered for life-threatening severe CDH at between 26 and 29 weeks' gestation. Regenerative outcome end point was fetal lung growth. Gestational age at procedure and maternal and perinatal outcomes were additional monitored parameters.

RESULTS

Diagnosis by ultrasonography of severe CDH was based on extremely reduced lung size (observed-to-expected lung area to head circumference ratio [o/e-LHR], eg, o/e-LHR of 20.3% for fetus 1 and 23.0% for fetus 2) along with greater than one-third of the liver herniated into the chest in both fetuses. Both patients underwent successful FETO at 28 weeks. At the time of intervention, no maternal or fetal complications were observed. Postintervention, fetal lung growth was observed in both fetuses, reaching an o/e-LHR of 62.7% at 36 weeks in fetus 1 and 52.4% at 32 weeks in fetus 2. The balloons were removed successfully at 35 weeks and 4 days by ultrasound-guided puncture in the first patient and at 32 weeks and 3 days by ex utero intrapartum therapy-to-airway procedure in the second patient. Postnatal management followed standard of care with patch CDH therapy. At discharge, one patient was breathing normally, whereas the other required minimal nasal cannula oxygen support.

CONCLUSION

The successful launch of the first fetoscopic therapy for CDH at Mayo Clinic reveals its feasibility and safety, with early signs of benefit documented by fetal lung growth and reversal of severe pulmonary hypoplasia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: G170062.

Anesthetic management of two parturients with cerebral palsy and prior selective dorsal rhizotomy

Selective dorsal rhizotomy is a surgical spine procedure used to reduce spasticity in patients with upper motor neuron dysfunction caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy. The optimal anesthetic approach for obstetric patients who have undergone a selective dorsal rhizotomy is unknown. The use and efficacy of neuraxial anesthesia in these patients has not been described. We describe the use of neuraxial anesthesia in two patients with prior selective dorsal rhizotomy. Unless contraindicated for other reasons, a neuraxial anesthetic approach appears to be an effective option in patients with a history of a selective dorsal rhizotomy.

The 2016 Hughes Lecture: What's new in maternal morbidity and mortality?

Each year, the Board of Directors of the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology selects an individual to review a given year's published obstetric anesthesiology literature. This individual then produces a syllabus of the year's most influential publications, delivers the Ostheimer Lecture at the Society's annual meeting, the Hughes Lecture at the following year's Sol Shnider meeting, and writes corresponding review articles. This 2016 Hughes Lecture review article focuses specifically on the 2014 publications that relate to maternal morbidity and mortality. It begins by discussing the 2014 research that was published on severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality in developed countries. This is followed by a discussion of specific coexisting diseases and specific causes of severe maternal mortality. The review ends with a discussion of worldwide maternal mortality and the 2014 publications that examined the successes and the shortfalls in the work to make childbirth safe for women throughout the entire world.

Challenging the 4- to 5-minute rule: from perimortem cesarean to resuscitative hysterotomy

Although perimortem delivery has been recorded in the medical literature for millennia, the procedural intent has evolved to the current fetocentric approach, predicating timing of delivery following maternal cardiopulmonary arrest to optimize neonatal outcome. We suggest a call to action to reinforce the concept that if the uterus is palpable at or above the umbilicus, preparations for delivery should be made simultaneous with initiation of maternal resuscitative efforts; if maternal condition is not rapidly reversible, hysterotomy with delivery should be performed regardless of fetal viability or elapsed time since arrest. Cognizant of the difficulty in determining precise timing of arrest in clinical practice, if fetal status is already compromised further delay while attempting to assess fetal heart rate, locating optimal surgical equipment, or transporting to an operating room will result in unnecessary worsening of both maternal and fetal condition. Even if intrauterine demise has already occurred, maternal resuscitative efforts will typically be markedly improved following delivery with uterine decompression. Consequently we suggest that perimortem cesarean delivery be renamed "resuscitative hysterotomy" to reflect the mutual optimization of resuscitation efforts that would potentially provide earlier and more substantial benefit to both mother and baby.

Nonpharmacologic labor analgesia

A supportive medical team should be well informed on the various pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic modalities of coping with or mitigating labor pain to appropriately support and respectfully care for parturients. Using the methodical rigor of previously published Cochrane systematic reviews, this summary evaluates and discusses the efficacy of nonpharmacologic labor analgesic interventions.

The association between epidural labor analgesia and maternal fever

The association between epidural labor analgesia and maternal fever is complex and controversial. Observational, retrospective, before-and-after, and randomized controlled trials all support the association, with the most current evidence supporting the mechanistic involvement of noninfectious inflammation. Considering the clinically significant neonatal consequences that have been previously demonstrated, and the possibility of more common subclinical fetal brain injury that animal models imply, the avoidance of maternal fever during labor is imperative. With the current popularity of epidural analgesia in labor, it is important that clinicians delineate how epidurals cause maternal fever and how to block the noninfectious inflammatory response that seems to warm a subset of women laboring with epidurals.

Emergency bedside cesarean delivery: lessons learned in teamwork and patient safety

BACKGROUND

Maternal cardiovascular and pulmonary events during labor and delivery may result in adverse maternal and fetal outcome. Potential etiologies include primary cardiac events, pulmonary embolism, eclampsia, maternal hemorrhage, and adverse medication events. Remifentanil patient-controlled analgesia is an alternative when conventional neuraxial analgesia for labor is contraindicated. Although remifentanil is a commonly used analgesic, its use for labor analgesia is not clearly defined.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present an unexpected and unique case of remifentanil toxicity resulting in the need for an emergent bedside cesarean delivery. A 30-year-old G3P2 woman receiving subcutaneous heparin anticoagulation due to a recent deep vein thrombosis developed cardiopulmonary arrest during labor induction due to remifentanil toxicity.

CONCLUSION

A rapid discussion among the attending obstetric, anesthesia, and nursing teams resulted in consensus to perform an emergent bedside cesarean delivery resulting in an excellent fetal outcome. During maternal cardiopulmonary arrest, a prompt decision to perform a bedside cesarean delivery is essential to avoid significant maternal and fetal morbidity. Under these conditions, rapid collaboration among obstetric, anesthesia, and nursing personnel, and an extensive multi-layered safety process are integral components to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes.

Safe and individualized labor analgesia: A review of the current options

Although some women want to experience childbirth without medications, most women in the United States labor with an epidural or spinal analgesic. Epidurals provide relatively consistent pain relief, are long-lasting, can be titrated according to the analgesic needs of the mother, and can be bolused for procedures such as forceps, vacuum, or cesarean delivery. But they can have undesirable side effects including lower-extremity motor block, hypotension, urinary retention, and pruritus, and they may increase the risk for a slightly prolonged labor, a forceps or vacuum delivery, and fever during labor. This article describes the current thinking regarding labor analgesia and how anesthesiologists and obstetricians can help women have a birth experience that is both safe and satisfying.

Urgent cesarean delivery and prolonged ventilatory support in a parturient with Fontan circulation and undiagnosed pseudocholinesterase deficiency

A parturient with Fontan circulation required general anesthesia for urgent cesarean delivery and subsequent prolonged postoperative ventilation for newly-diagnosed pseudocholinesterase deficiency. Anesthetic management necessitated a thorough understanding of the hemodynamic principles of the Fontan circulation and physiologic adaptations during surgical delivery and recovery in the intensive care unit.

Topical vasoconstrictor use for nasal intubation during pregnancy complicated by cardiomyopathy and preeclampsia

Ankylosing spondylitis presents challenges for the obstetric anesthesiologist in administering neuraxial anesthesia or managing the airway. A pregnant patient with ankylosing spondylitis, cardiomyopathy and preeclampsia requiring cesarean delivery was managed with an awake nasotracheal fiberoptic intubation. The use of topical cocaine, epinephrine, phenylephrine, and oxymetazoline to produce nasal vasoconstriction is discussed. Selective alpha-2 agonists that can potentially provide nasal mucosa vasoconstriction and placental vasculature vasodilation are also discussed.

Anesthetic management of parturients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries: three cases and a review of the literature

Women with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) have a propensity for congestive heart failure and cardiac dysrhythmias during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. We report the successful obstetric and anesthetic management of three women with CCTGA, review the pertinent medical literature, and discuss important issues surrounding the anesthetic management of parturients with CCTGA.

Chronic lateral epicondylitis: comparative effectiveness of a home exercise program including stretching alone versus stretching supplemented with eccentric or concentric strengthening

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of eccentric strengthening. Ninety-four subjects (50 men) with chronic lateral epicondylitis were allocated randomly into three groups: stretching, concentric strengthening with stretching, and eccentric strengthening with stretching. Subjects performed an exercise program for six weeks. All three groups received instruction on icing, stretching, and avoidance of aggravating activities. The strengthening groups received instruction on isolated concentric and eccentric wrist extensor strengthening, respectively. At six weeks, significant gains were made in all three groups as assessed with pain-free grip strength, Patient-rated Forearm Evaluation Questionnaire, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire, Short Form 36, and visual analog pain scale. No significant differences in outcome measures were noted among the three groups. Although there were no significant differences in outcome among the groups, eccentric strengthening did not cause subjects to worsen. Further studies are needed to assess the unique effects of a more intense or longer eccentric strengthening program for patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Sensitivity of the Patient-rated Forearm Evaluation Questionnaire in lateral epicondylitis

The purpose of this study was to examine the sensitivity, reliability, and concurrent validity of the Patient-rated Forearm Evaluation Questionnaire (PRFEQ). Reliability on three consecutive days was evaluated with 22 of 94 subjects who had chronic lateral epicondylitis (LE) and who concomitantly participated in an outcome study. The PRFEQ results were compared with results of the Visual Analogue Scale; the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey; and the pain-free grip strength measurement. Questionnaires were completed at baseline, six weeks, and 12 weeks. Reliability was excellent using variance components and interclass correlation coefficients (PRFEQ function subscale, 0.92; PRFEQ pain subscale, 0.96; PRFEQ total scale, 0.96). Generally, correlations were moderate between the PRFEQ subscales and total scale and the other outcome scales. Effect size and standardized response mean were good in many outcome scales, being slightly higher in the PRFEQ than in the other outcome measures. The PRFEQ is reliable, reproducible, and sensitive for assessment of LE. It is at least as sensitive to change as the other outcome tools tested. The PRFEQ should be a standard primary outcome measure in LE research.

The left-without-being-seen patients: what would keep them from leaving?

STUDY OBJECTIVE

We determine which services, if any, an emergency department (ED) could provide to help a patient who left the ED without being seen by a physician wait longer to see a physician.

METHODS

In this retrospective observational study, patients who had left the Saint Marys Hospital ED without being seen by a physician were surveyed by telephone. The Saint Marys Hospital ED is a 43-bed facility with an annual patient volume of 77600 located in a city of 82000. Responders were questioned regarding 15 specific services the Saint Marys Hospital ED could provide to help them wait longer. Eligible participants included willing adults, parents accompanying patients younger than 18 years of age, and patients between the ages of 13 and 18 years whose parents granted permission. Participants were excluded if they denied research authorization, did not speak English, refused to participate, or were unable to be contacted.

RESULTS

Between April 9, 2001, and July 17, 2001, 20494 patients registered, 172 patients left without being seen, and 152 patients approved research authorization; we attempted to contact these patients. In total, 97 patients, their parents, or their caretakers completed the entire interview (56.4% of those who left without being seen, 63.8% of those with whom contact was attempted). Nearly 85% of responders retrospectively identified "more frequent updates on wait time" and 70.1% identified "the availability of immediate temporary treatments" as services that would have helped them wait longer. Other waiting room services were identified by fewer than half of the responders as potentially helpful in allowing them to wait longer.

CONCLUSION

Communication of estimated waiting time and the availability of immediate treatments for minor injuries or symptoms might increase the time patients are willing to wait and therefore might decrease an ED's rate of patients leaving without being seen.