Evidence of Placental Villous Inflammation and Apoptosis in Third-Trimester Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Maternal Infection.

PURPOSE: In view of conflicting reports on the ability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) to infect placental tissue, this study aimed to further evaluate the impact of inflammation and placental damage from symptomatic third-trimester maternal COVID-19 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study included 32 placenta samples each from symptomatic COVID-19 pregnancy and normal non-COVID-19 pregnancy. The villous placental area's inflammatory expression [angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), transmembrane protease serine-2 (TMPRSS2), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein] and apoptotic rate were examined using immunohistochemistry and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay. Comparison and correlation analysis were used based on COVID-19 infection, placental SARS-CoV-2 spike protein evidence, and maternal severity status. RESULTS: Higher expressions of TMPRSS2, IFN-γ, and trophoblast apoptotic rate were observed in the COVID-19 group (p<0.001), whereas ACE-2 and IL-6 expressions were not significantly different from the control group (p>0.05). Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was detected in 8 (25%) placental samples of COVID-19 pregnancy. COVID-19 subgroup analysis revealed increased IFN-γ, trophoblast, and stromal apoptosis (p<0.01). Moreover, the results of the current study revealed no correlation between maternal COVID-19 severity and placental inflammation as well as the apoptotic process. CONCLUSION: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as well as altered inflammatory and apoptotic processes may indicate the presence of placental disturbance in third-trimester maternal COVID-19 infection. The lack of correlation between placental disruption and maternal severity status suggests the need for more research to understand the infection process and any potential long-term impacts on all offsprings born to COVID-19-infected pregnant women.

One-step conservative surgery vs hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum: a feasibility randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Placenta accreta spectrum is a serious condition associated with significant maternal morbidity and even mortality. The recommended treatment is hysterectomy. An alternative is 1-step conservative surgery, which involves the en bloc resection of the myometrium affected by placenta accreta spectrum along with the placenta, followed by uterine reconstruction. Currently, there are no studies comparing the 2 techniques in the setting of a randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: We performed a prospectively registered multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing hysterectomy with 1-step conservative surgery. The aim was to collect feasibility and clinical outcomes of the 2 techniques in women assigned to hysterectomy or 1-step conservative surgery. In addition to assessing participants' willingness to be randomized, we also collected data on intraoperative blood loss, transfusion requirement, serious adverse event, and other clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty women with strong antenatal suspicion of placenta accreta spectrum were assigned randomly to either hysterectomy (n=31) or 1-step conservative surgery (n=29). RESULTS: During a 20-month period, 60 of the 64 eligible patients (93.7%) underwent randomization. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that the clinical outcomes for 1-step conservative surgery were comparable to those of hysterectomy (median intraoperative blood loss, 1740 mL [interquartile range, 1010-2410] vs 1500 mL [interquartile range, 1122-2753]; odds ratio, 1 [1-1]; P=.942; median duration of surgery, 135 minutes [interquartile range, 111-180] vs 155 minutes [interquartile range, 120-185]; odds ratio, 0.99 [0.98-1]; P=.151; transfusion rate, 58.6% vs 61.3%; odds ratio, 0.96 [0.83-1.76]; P=.768; and adverse event rate, 17.2% vs 9.7%; odds ratio, 1.77 [0.43-10.19]; P=.398; respectively). In the subgroup of women with type 1 class on topographic classification, all participants allocated to 1-step surgery had successful outcomes, which were superior to those of hysterectomy. This was evidenced by the shorter surgery duration (median, 125 [interquartile range, 98-128] vs 180 [129-226] minutes; P=.002), lower transfusion rates (46.2% vs 82.4%), and fewer units of red blood cells transfused (median, 1 [interquartile range, 1-1.8] vs 3 [interquartile range, 2-4] units; P=.007). CONCLUSION: A randomized controlled trial comparing 2 surgical techniques for the treatment of placenta accreta spectrum is feasible. One-step conservative repair is a valid alternative to hysterectomy in the large majority of cases, but this can only be ascertained following intraoperative surgical staging. El resumen está disponible en Español al final del artículo.

Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound findings help to guide the clinical management of placenta accreta spectrum cases.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) depends on placental topography and vascular involvement. Our aim was to determine whether transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound signs can predict PAS management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive prenatally suspected PAS cases in a single tertiary-care PAS center between January 2021 and July 2022. When PAS was confirmed during surgery, abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound scans were analyzed in relation to PAS management. The preferred surgical approach of PAS was one-step conservative surgery (OSCS). Massive blood loss and PAS topography in the lower bladder trigone necessitated cesarean hysterectomy. Transvaginal ultrasound-diagnosed intracervical hypervascularity was split into three categories based on their quantity. Anatomically, the internal cervical os is located at the level of the bladder trigone and was used as landmark for upper and lower bladder trigone PAS. RESULTS: Ninety-one women underwent OSCS and 35 women underwent cesarean hysterectomy (total 126 women with PAS). Abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound features differed significantly between women that underwent OSCS and cesarean hysterectomy: decreased myometrial thickness (<1 mm), 82.4% vs. 100%, p = 0.006; placental bulge, 51.6% vs. 94.3%, p < 0.001; bladder wall interruption, 62.6% vs. 97.1%, p < 0.001; abnormal placental lacunae, 75.8% vs. 100%, p < 0.001; hypervascularity (large lacunae feeding vessels, 57.8% vs. 94.6%, p < 0.001; parametrial hypervascularity, 15.4% vs. 60%, p < 0.001; the rail sign, 6.6% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.003; three-dimensional Doppler intra-placental hypervascularity, 81.3% vs. 100%, p < 0.001; intracervical hypervascularity 60.4% vs. 94.3%, p < 0.001); and cervical length 2.5 ± 0.94 vs. 2.2 ± 0.73, p = 0.038. Other ultrasound signs were not significantly different. The results of multivariable logistic regression showed placental bulge (odds ratio [OR] 9.3; 95% CI 1.9-44.3; p = 0.005), parametrial hypervascularity (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.541-11.085; p = 0.005), and intracervical hypervascularity (OR 9.2; 95% CI 1.905-44.056; p = 0.006) were weak predictors of OSCS. Intracervical hypervascularity Grade 1 (vascularity <50% of cervical tissue) was more present in OSCS than higher gradings two and three (91% vs. 27.6% vs. 14.3%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cesarean hysterectomy is associated with the PAS signs of placental bulge and Grade 2 and 3 intracervical hypervascularity. OSCS is associated with intracervical hypervascularity Grade 1 on transvaginal ultrasound. Prospective validation is required to formulate predictors for PAS management.

Uterine conservative-resective surgery for selected placenta accreta spectrum cases: Surgical-vascular control methods.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) has increased, but the optimal management and the optimal way to achieve vascular control are still controversial. This study aims to compare maternal outcomes between different methods of vascular control in surgical PAS management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study on consecutive cases diagnosed with PAS between 2013 and 2020 in single tertiary hospital. The final diagnosis of PAS was made following preoperative ultrasound and confirmation during surgery. Management of PAS using cesarean hysterectomy with internal iliac artery ligation (IIAL) was compared with two types of vascular control in uterine conservative-resective surgery (IIAL vs identification-ligation of the upper vesical, upper vaginal, and uterine arteries). RESULTS: Over an 8-year period, 234 pregnant women were diagnosed with PAS meeting the inclusion criteria. Uterine conservative-resective surgery (200 cases) was associated with lower mean blood loss compared with cesarean hysterectomy with IIAL (34 cases) in all PAS cases (1379 ± 769 mL vs 3168 ± 1916 mL; p < 0.001). In sub-analysis of the two uterine conservative-resective surgery subgroups, the group with identification-ligation of the upper vesical, upper vaginal, and uterine arteries had a significantly lower blood loss compared with uterine conservative-resective surgery with IIAL (1307 ± 743 mL vs 1701 ± 813 mL; p = 0.005). Women in the hysterectomy with IIAL group had more massive transfusion (35.3% vs 2.5%; p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR] 21.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.9-66), major blood loss (>1500 mL) (70.6% vs 34%, p < 0.001; OR 4.7; 95% CI 2.1-10.3), catastrophic blood loss (>2500 mL) (64.7% vs 12.5%;p < 0.001; OR 12.8, 95% CI 5.7-29.1), other complications (32% vs 12.4%; p = 0.007; OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.5-7.7), and intensive care unit admission (32.4% vs 1.5%; p < 0.001; OR 31.4, 95% CI 8.2-120.7) compared with the uterine conservative-resective surgery groups. The identification-ligation of the upper vesical, upper vaginal and uterine arteries had a significant lower risk for major blood loss (30.5% vs 50%; p = 0.041; OR 0.44, 95% CI = 0.2-0.9) compared with IIAL for vascular control of uterine conservative-resective surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Cesarean hysterectomy is not the default treatment for PAS, PAS with invasion above the vesical trigone are suitable for uterine conservative-resective surgery with upper vesical, upper vaginal and uterine artery vascular control.

Management of placenta accreta spectrum disorders in COVID 19 patients.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult to respond to demands in maternal health around the world. Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is one of the most severe obstetric conditions and usually requires the use of multiple health resources We describe the clinical results of the management of PAS patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and analyze how the pandemic may affect the functioning of a PAS team. METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive, retrospective study including all patients treated for PAS in two low- to middle-income country reference hospitals between January 2020 and March 2021. The clinical results of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during PAS surgery (Group 1) were compared with those of PAS patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection (Group 2). RESULTS: One hundred forty-five patients undergoing surgery for PAS were included. Group 1 patients (11 cases) showed a longer operative time (250 min, IQR 200-300) and a higher frequency of intra- or postoperative complications (54.5%) than group 2 patients (180 min [IQR 125-240], and 17.9%). CONCLUSION: Placenta accreta spectrum patients undergoing surgery during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection have a higher frequency of postoperative complications. PAS teams must prepare to modify their management protocols to minimize risks for patients and healthcare personnel.

Serum heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), soluble FMS like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) level, and neonatal outcome in early onset, late onset preeclampsia, and normal pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the level of serum heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), soluble FMS like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1), and neonatal outcome in early onset preeclampsia (EO-PE), late onset preeclampsia (LO-PE), and normal pregnancy (NP). METHODS: In this prospective observational case control study, HO-1 and sFlt-1 levels were measured in blood samples within 24 h of hospital admission. Preeclampsia cases were divided into two groups based on gestational age at delivery: EO-PE (<34 weeks) and LO-PE (≥34 weeks). A total of 45 patients were involved in this study. RESULT: Maternal serum level of sFlt-1 was higher in EO-PE than LO-PE and NP groups (mean ± SD; 14.50 ± 17.12 ng/ml vs 5.20 ± 6.69 ng/ml vs 2.72 ± 1.2 ng/ml [p = 0.020]. Maternal serum level of HO-1 was not different between EO-PE, LO-PE, and NP groups (p = 0.681). Birthweights were significantly lower in the EO-PE group compared with the LO-PE and NP groups (1580 ± 536 g vs 2635 ± 578 g vs 3010 ± 371 g [p = 0.000]). The rate of small for gestational age infant (26.7% vs 6.7% vs 0%; p = 0.046) and perinatal death (20% vs 0 vs 0; p = 0.037) was also significantly higher in EO-PE compared to LO-PE and NP. The maternal sFlt-1 level was negatively correlated with birthweight (p = 0.006; CC = -0.445). CONCLUSION: This study did not find a correlation between maternal HO-1 levels and sFlt-1 levels. Maternal serum sFLt-1 levels in preeclampsia were higher in EO-PE and were associated with a worse perinatal outcome.