[Maternal Deaths due to Amniotic Fluid Embolism in France 2013-2015]. / Mortalité maternelle par embolie amniotique en France 2013­2015.

Amniotic fluid embolism remains the 3rd cause of maternal death in France, with a stable rate and 28 deaths in this triennium, representing 10.7% of maternal deaths and a maternal mortality ratio of 1.2/100,000 live births. Cases are characterized by the suddenness of symptoms: the median delay between symptoms and death was 4h [0.75-696] with 20/28 patients did not reach the intensive care unit. Initial circulatory failure or cataclysmic haemorrhage was the two modes of presentation. Prodromes were reported in 17 (63%) cases and induction of labour was present in 12/27 (44%). One or more factors of sub-optimal care were present in 72% of the cases, and 52% of deaths were considered possibly or probably preventable. This preventability most often concerned the content of care but also the organisation of care (including human resources, communication, sites of care and referrals). The delay in establishing a well-conducted cardio-circulatory resuscitation or the delay in setting up an optimal transfusion strategy were the most frequent elements of substandard care. Absence or delay at hysterectomy during haemorrhagic situations was reported in 15/20 cases. The experts suggest being on the alert to diagnose amniotic embolism at an early stage, initiating intense resuscitation "outside the walls", envisaging a hysterectomy without delay if the haemorrhage is intense. On an organisational level, a "vital emergency maternity care" plan, specific to each establishment could be proposed.

[Maternal deaths due to haemorrhage in France 2013-2015]. / Mortalité maternelle par hémorragie en France 2013­2015.

Maternal death from haemorrhage is decreasing: in the last 15 years the number of deaths has been halved. This improvement demonstrates the progress made in hemorrhage management as a result of collective efforts. The number of deaths in this triennium is 22, representing 8.4% of maternal deaths and a maternal mortality ratio by haemorrhage of 1.0/100,000 live births. Nevertheless, there is a worrying proportion of deaths from occult haemorrhage. These occult haemorrhages most often occurred after caesarean sections. A lack of surveillance in the immediate follow-up was generally associated. One or more factors of sub-optimal care were present in 84% of the cases, and 88.9% of deaths were considered possibly or probably preventable. Delay in the diagnosis of haemorrhage, delay in surgical treatment, an insufficient transfusion strategy and inappropriate locations of care were the most frequently reported factors. The experts suggest that risk factors for haemorrhage should be identified in order to propose the most appropriate facility for childbirth. They encourage the strategies for early diagnosis of haemorrhage (attentive and regular monitoring, rapid haemoglobin measurement, abdominal ultrasound) and surgical intervention in case of hemoperitoneum.

[Maternal deaths due to amniotic fluid embolism. Results from the French confidential enquiry into maternal deaths, 2010-2012]. / Mortalité maternelle par embolie amniotique. Résultats de l'ENCMM, France 2010­2012.

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is an unpredictable, dreadful complication of pregnancy or childbirth. EA typically includes in the same lapse of time respiratory, haemodynamic, neurological and hemorrhagic symptoms (from early and severe coagulopathy). Immediate supportive treatment by a multidisciplinary team is the cornerstone of the management. Between 2010 an 2012 in France, 24 deaths were related to AFE giving a maternal mortality ratio of 1/100,000 live births (CI 95% 0.6-1.4). AFE ranks as the second leading cause of direct maternal death. Eight cases over 23 were classified as having some degree of substandard care. Substandard care included delays in performing aggressive surgical treatment or delays in the diagnosis and the treatment of the coagulopathy. Learning points focus on the importance to pay attention on premonitory symptoms, to early assess the clotting status and to train in multidisciplinary team.

[Maternal deaths due to haemorrhage: Results from the French confidential enquiry into maternal deaths, 2010-2012]. / Mortalité maternelle par hémorragie, résultats de l'ENCMM, France 2010­2012.

Haemorrhage is the first cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in France and a quality of care marker. Haemorrhage rate in France is around 5 to 10% of deliveries. PPH is defined as a post-partum blood loss≥500mL whatever the delivery route and sometime blood can be concealed inside the pelvis. Between 2010 and 2012 in France, 29 deaths were related to haemorrhage giving a maternal mortality ratio of 1.2/100,000 live births (CI 95% 0.8-1.7). Haemorrhage cases decreased from last triennium (2007-2009) especially for uterine atony cases (12/29) but remains the first leading cause of direct maternal death. Patients with previous cesarean birth were more represented than in general obstetrical population (11/23). Substandard care were mainly due to delays in diagnosis of hemoperitoneum, delays in adequate resuscitation because of reassuring vital signs (normal blood pressure or normal hematocrite at the initial stage of bleeding) or organisational mistakes.

Intravenous nitroglycerin for intrapartum internal podalic version of the second non-vertex twin.

OBJECTIVE: Authors report their experience of intravenous nitroglycerin as uterine relaxing agent for managing successfully internal podalic version of the second twin. METHODS: From a retrospective study including nine observations of internal podalic version of the second non vertex twin performed with administration of intravenous nitroglycerin, between August 1994 and February 1996, authors compare their results with those reported elsewhere. RESULTS: Two failures of internal podalic version with nitroglycerin have been observed. But one failure is not considered to be due to the NTG: it was a patient, who had a panic attack necessitating a general anesthesia for sedative purpose. The internal podalic version succeeded. The true failure of NTG needed an emergency cesarean due to acute fetal distress and a non relaxing uterus. One internal podalic version was complicated by hemorrhage. The intravenous NTG used to induce uterine atonia associated with epidural-analgesia to relief pain avoiding general anesthesia makes internal podalic version easier. CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed those already reported. That intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG) injection induces a transient and prompt uterine relaxation required for internal podalic version without affecting maternal and fetal prognosis.

[Gaucher's disease and pregnancy]. / Maladie de Gaucher et grossesse.

Gaucher's disease is rare in association with pregnancy (we have only found 53 cases of women with this disease who had at least one pregnancy since 1945). A review of literature on this subject and this one case confirms that it is unlikely that the disease will progress as far as the symptomatology is concerned and that there are unlikely to be obstetric or fetal complications. All the same there are certain complications that can occur as the haematological state is concerned (thrombocytopenia, coagulation defects such as bleeding, particularly post-partum from the genital organs). Mechanical difficulties may occur because of the greatly enlarged spleen. Pregnancy is not contra-indicated but it is a high risk pregnancy that has to watched very carefully with ultrasound and great attention to the obstetric and biological condition.

[Internal version and breech extraction of the second twin. A series of 35 cases]. / Version par manoeuvres internes et grande extraction de siège chez le deuxième jumeau. A propos de 35 observations.

OBJECTIVES: Identify indications and assess results of internal version followed by breech extraction. Evaluate fetal and maternal prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective study of 35 cases of ionternal versions followed by primary breech extraction of the second twin performed between 1 January 1986 and 31 December 1994, were analysed and compared with data in the literature. RESULTS: There were 2 failures requiring cesarean extraction of the second twin. There were no maternal complications other than minor bleeding at deliver in 3 who did not require transfusion. Obstetrical trauma was observed in 3 cases with no sequelae. Five infants were referred to the prematurity unit and 9 to the infant intensive care unit due to consequences of prematurity. In six cases nitroglycerin used as a uterine relaxing agent was associated with spinal analgesia thus avoiding general anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Internal version is the only alternative (together with external version) to cesarean, allowing rapid delivery of the second twin in breech position. Maternal prognosis is excellent and fetal prognosis is good if contraindications are avoided.

[Transfusion and postpartum haemorrhage]. / Transfusion et hémorragie du post-partum.

Postpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death in France and worldwide. Guidelines help to conduct a timed management and to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Rescue and surgical care, transfusion and monitoring have to be previously organized.

[Uterine rupture after twenty-two weeks of amenorrhea due to placenta praevia percreta. A case report]. / Rupture utérine à vingt-deux semaines d'aménorrhée par placenta praevia percreta. A propos d'une observation.

The authors report a case of rupture of the uterus 22 weeks after the LMP, due to placenta praevia percreta and requiring emergency hysterectomy to arrest bleeding, followed by urinary complications. With the predisposing factors of the scars of 4 previous cesarean sections and the low anterior insertion of the placenta, this exceptional case--in terms of its rarity and gravity--led the authors to undertake a review of the literature seeking other cases of this greatly feared obstetric complication. They review the clinical, ultrasonographic (notably the use of color Doppler) and paraclinical (MRI, cystoscopy) diagnostic approach necessary to make an accurate diagnosis of placenta percreta (if possible before any hemorrhagic complications). This situation virtually invariably requires hysterectomy to arrest bleeding, under very difficult conditions because of the massive hemorrhage involved. Mortality remains high and morbidity principally concerns the urinary complications frequently encountered.