Acretismo placentário e suas complicações / Placental accretism and its complications

Acretismo é um termo genérico que significa uma invasão trofoblástica anormal da placenta em parte ou, mais raramente, na totalidade do miométrio, podendo inclusive chegar à serosa. Esse evento ocorre mais comumente em uma região de cicatriz uterina prévia, onde há um defeito na decidualização. A principal consequência disso é a necessidade frequente de histerectomia puerperal, acarretando grande morbidade materna. Este artigo apresenta o caso de uma gestante com placenta percreta, com acometimento vesical e de colo uterino que necessitou de histerectomia total. Além disso, no pós-operatório, apresentou fístula vesicoabdominal. O objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar as complicações do acretismo placentário e as maneiras de tentar reduzi-lo. O aumento nas proporções de nascimentos via parto cesariana, sem que haja evidências claras de que isso interfira na queda da mortalidade e/ou morbidade materna e neonatal, sugere que estejam sendo indicadas muito mais cesarianas que o necessário. Para redução nas taxas de cesariana e, consequentemente, das complicações dela, como nos casos de acretismo, é necessário repensar a cultura do cuidado da prática clínica em obstetrícia.(AU)

Accretism is a generic term that means an abnormal trophoblastic invasion of the placenta in part or, more rarely, in the entire myometrium, which may even reach the serosa. This event most commonly occurs in a region of previous uterine scar, where there is a decidualization defect. The main consequence of this is the frequent need for puerperal hysterectomy, causing great maternal morbidity. This article presents the case of a pregnant woman with placenta percreta, with bladder and uterine cervix involvement, who required hysterectomy. In addition, postoperatively, presented a vesico-abdominal fistula. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the complications of placental accretism and ways to try it. The increase in the proportion of births via cesarean delivery, without clear evidences that this interferes with the decrease in maternal and neonatal mortality and/or morbidity, suggests that much more cesarean sections are being indicated than necessary. To reduce cesarean rates and consequently, its complications, as in cases of accretism, it is necessary to rethink the culture of care in clinical practice in obstetrics.(AU)

Preoperative Prophylactic Balloon-Assisted Occlusion of the Internal Iliac Arteries in the Management of Placenta Increta/Percreta.

Background and Objectives: Preoperative prophylactic balloon-assisted occlusion (PBAO) of the internal iliac arteries minimizes blood loss and facilitates surgery performance, through reductions in the rate of uterine perfusion, which allow for better control in hysterectomy performance, with decreased rates of bleeding and surgical complications. We aimed to investigate the maternal and fetal outcomes associated with PBAO use in women with placenta increta or percreta. Material and Methods: The records of 42 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of placenta increta or percreta were retrospectively reviewed. Of 42 patients, 17 patients (40.5%) with placenta increta or percreta underwent cesarean delivery after prophylactic balloon catheter placement in the bilateral internal iliac artery (balloon group). The blood loss volume, transfusion volume, postoperative hemoglobin changes, rates of hysterectomy and hospitalization, and infant Apgar score in this group were compared to those of 25 similar women who underwent cesarean delivery without balloon placement (surgical group). Results: The mean intraoperative blood loss volume in the balloon group (2319 ± 1191 mL, range 1000-4500 mL) was significantly lower than that in the surgical group (4435 ± 1376 mL, range 1500-10,500 mL) (p = 0.037). The mean blood unit volume transfused in the balloon group (2060 ± 1154 mL, range 1200-8000 mL) was significantly lower than that in the surgical group (3840 ± 1464 mL, range 1800-15,200 mL) (p = 0.043). There was no significant difference in the postoperative hemoglobin change, hysterectomy rates, length of hospitalization, or infant Apgar score between the groups. Conclusion: PBAO of the internal iliac artery prior to cesarean delivery in patients with placenta increta or percreta is a safe and minimally invasive technique that reduces the rate of intraoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements.

Placenta percreta into the urinary bladder: the importance of the urologist.

The incidence of placenta accreta spectrum is on the rise. The most serious entity within this spectrum is percreta: extension beyond the uterus. The bladder is most commonly involved in these cases and is especially relevant for the urologist. Important sequelae include hemorrhage, massive transfusion, maternal mortality and urinary tract injury. Approaching this disorder as well as associated urinary tract involvement in a standardized and multi-disciplinary fashion significantly improves outcomes and reduces morbidity. Herein, we present a case of complete placenta percreta involving the bladder that was successfully managed with minimal obstetrical and genitourinary morbidity.

Expression of Cripto-1 in the placenta and its role in placenta accreta and placenta previa.

OBJECTIVES: This study Aims to explore the role of placental Cripto-1 in the incidence of an adherent placenta. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten pregnant women with placenta increta, 20 pregnant women with placenta previa and 30 women with normal pregnant were enrolled in this study. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression of Cripto-1 in the placenta while as the analysis of placental Cripto-1 was performed by Western blotting RESULTS: The placenta increta group showed higher levels of Cripto-1 in the center of the increta as compared to the non-implantation area. The level of placental Cripto-1 in the placenta increta was higher than that of the placenta accrete. The expression of placental Cripto-1 in the placenta increta and placenta previa groups was higher than that of control. CONCLUSIONS: Placental Cripto-1 is involved in the regulation of placental tissue invasion. Additionally, excessive placental growth or penetration into the myometrium are likely to be involved in the development of placenta increta.

Prophylactic Occlusion Balloon Placement in the Abdominal Aorta Combined with Uterine or Ovarian Artery Embolization for the Prevention of Cesarean Hysterectomy Due to Placenta Accreta: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of uterine-conserving surgery with the occlusion balloon technique followed by uterine or ovarian artery embolization (OAE) in women with placenta accreta. METHODS: A total of 31 consecutive patients, who were diagnosed with placenta accreta through grayscale ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging prenatally, were retrospectively analyzed in our hospital between October 2015 and September 2017. All of the women underwent a Cesarean section combined with prophylactic placement of a balloon catheter in the abdominal aorta followed by uterine artery embolization (UAE) or OAE when necessary. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 31 cases (100%), including successful catheterization and inflation of balloons. The uterus was conserved in 30 (96.77%) patients. The estimated blood loss, packed RBC transfused, and the operation time were 1906.45 ± 1117.64 ml, 4(0-6) U, and 88.68 ± 28.35 min, respectively. Out of all of the patients, we found nine cases of bleeding after the release of the balloon. Among these patients, six cases originated from the ovarian arteries and three cases originated from uterine arteries. Further embolization was performed through catheterization. The mean fetal radiation exposure was 4.33 ± 0.79 mGy. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic abdominal aorta balloon occlusion followed by UAE or OAE can effectively control postpartum hemorrhaging with reduced blood loss, transfusion requirements, and hysterectomy rates in patients with placenta accreta.

Impact of placenta previa with placenta accreta spectrum disorder on fetal growth.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate fetal growth in pregnancies complicated by placenta previa with or without placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder, compared with in pregnancies with a low-lying placenta. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies complicated by placenta previa with or without PAS disorder, for which maternal characteristics, ultrasound-estimated fetal weight and birth weight were available. Four maternal-fetal medicine units participated in data collection of diagnosis, treatment and outcome. The control group comprised singleton pregnancies with a low-lying placenta (0.5-2 cm from the internal os). The diagnosis of PAS and depth of invasion were confirmed at delivery using both a predefined clinical grading score and histopathological examination. For comparison of pregnancy characteristics and fetal growth parameters, the study groups were matched for smoking status, ethnic origin, fetal sex and gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: The study included 82 women with placenta previa with PAS disorder, subdivided into adherent (n = 35) and invasive (n = 47) PAS subgroups, and 146 women with placenta previa without PAS disorder. There were 64 controls with a low-lying placenta. There was no significant difference in the incidence of small-for-gestational age (SGA) (birth weight ≤ 10th percentile) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) (birth weight ≥ 90th  percentile) between the study groups. Median gestational age at diagnosis was significantly lower in pregnancies with placenta previa without PAS disorder than in the low-lying placenta group (P = 0.002). No significant difference was found between pregnancies complicated by placenta previa with PAS disorder and those without for any of the variables. Median estimated fetal weight percentile was significantly lower in the adherent compared with the invasive previa-PAS subgroup (P = 0.047). Actual birth weight percentile at delivery did not differ significantly between the subgroups (P = 0.804). CONCLUSIONS: No difference was seen in fetal growth in pregnancies complicated by placenta previa with PAS disorder compared with those without and compared with those with a low-lying placenta. There was also no increased incidence of either SGA or LGA neonates in pregnancies with placenta previa and PAS disorder compared with those with placenta previa with spontaneous separation of the placenta at birth. Adverse neonatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by placenta previa and PAS disorder is linked to premature delivery and not to impaired fetal growth. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Acretismo placentario: un diagnóstico emergente. Abordaje quirúrgico no conservador / Placental accreta: an emerging diagnosis. Approach non-conservative surgical

RESUMEN El espectro de acretismo placentario es un fenómeno infrecuente del embarazo cuya incidencia ha aumentado considerablemente y que está caracterizado por el anclaje anormal de las vellosidades coriónicas al miometrio, lo cual aumenta la morbi-mortalidad materna durante la resolución quirúrgica. Según las capas uterinas comprometidas, serán clasificadas como placenta acreta (contacta miometrio), increta (penetra miometrio) y percreta (compromete todo el miometrio y/o eventualmente órganos adyacentes), siendo su mayor factor de riesgo: la cesárea anterior y la placenta previa. En este artículo se realizó una revisión bibliográfica abarcando definiciones, diagnóstico y las nuevas tendencias en manejo quirúrgico no conservador propuesto en la nueva guía de la Federación Internacional de Ginecología y Obstetricia publicada en 2018 y elaborando una discusión respecto a ellas.

SUMMARY Placenta accreta spectrum is an uncommon phenomenon of pregnancy whose incidence has increased considerably over time and is characterized by the abnormal anchoring of the chorionic villi to the myometrium, which increases maternal morbidity and mortality during surgical resolution. According to the compromised uterine layers, they will be classified as placenta accreta (contacts myometrium), increta (penetrates myometrium) and percreta (compromises the entire myometrium and / or possibly adjacent organs), being previous caesarean section and placenta previous its major risk factor. In this review, we included definitions, diagnosis, and the new topics in non-conservative surgical management developed by the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecolgy published in 2018, and developing a discussion of the topic.

Senescence and Telomere Homeostasis Might Be Involved in Placenta Percreta-Preliminary Investigation.

OBJECTIVE: Placenta percreta (PP) is an abnormal condition of trophoblast maturation and terminal differentiation through the uterine wall. We opted to study telomere homeostasis and senescence expression in trophoblasts from PP, the most severe subgroup of placenta accreta. STUDY DESIGN: Paraffin-embedded placental biopsies from pregnancies with percreta and normal placentation, matched by gestational age at delivery, were assessed for telomere length, aggregates, and senescence-associated heterochromatin foci using quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21, p15, p16, and the tumor suppressor protein p53, known senescence-related markers, were assessed using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Short telomeres were found more often in trophoblasts from the samples of PP (n = 9) compared to controls (n = 8; 54% ± 20% vs 2.3% ± 1.16%, respectively; P < .05). More cells with telomere aggregates (18.3% ± 6.9%) were observed in the PP than in the control group (4.8% ± 5.4%; P = .0005). The percentage of nucleic senescence-associated heterochromatin foci in the PP and control samples was similar (10.9% ± 10.4% vs 10.7% ± 15%, respectively; P = .97). Immunohistochemistry of senescence markers was expressed differently in PP compared to the controls: higher p15 expression (46.42% ± 15.2% vs 36.63% ± 12.2%, P = .004), higher p21 expression (59.8% ± 22.1% vs 47.5% ± 21.9%, P = .011), lower p16 expression (54.8% ± 26.3% vs 73.4% ± 18.9%, P = .000), and lower p53 expression (24.4% ± 33.8% vs 34% ± 14.4%, P = .000). CONCLUSION: Placenta percreta exhibits telomere alterations and changes in expression of several senescence markers. These might be related to altered trophoblast invasion maturation and placental detachment postpartum.

Placenta accreta spectrum: pathophysiology and evidence-based anatomy for prenatal ultrasound imaging.

Placenta accreta spectrum is a complex obstetric complication associated with high maternal morbidity. It is a relatively new disorder of placentation, and is the consequence of damage to the endometrium-myometrial interface of the uterine wall. When first described 80 years ago, it mainly occurred after manual removal of the placenta, uterine curettage, or endometritis. Superficial damage leads primarily to an abnormally adherent placenta, and is diagnosed as the complete or partial absence of the decidua on histology. Today, the main cause of placenta accreta spectrum is uterine surgery and, in particular, uterine scar secondary to cesarean delivery. In the absence of endometrial reepithelialization of the scar area the trophoblast and villous tissue can invade deeply within the myometrium, including its circulation, and reach the surrounding pelvic organs. The cellular changes in the trophoblast observed in placenta accreta spectrum are probably secondary to the unusual myometrial environment in which it develops, and not a primary defect of trophoblast biology leading to excessive invasion of the myometrium. Placenta accreta spectrum was separated by pathologists into 3 categories: placenta creta when the villi simply adhere to the myometrium, placenta increta when the villi invade the myometrium, and placenta percreta where the villi invade the full thickness of the myometrium. Several prenatal ultrasound signs of placenta accreta spectrum were reported over the last 35 years, principally the disappearance of the normal uteroplacental interface (clear zone), extreme thinning of the underlying myometrium, and vascular changes within the placenta (lacunae) and placental bed (hypervascularity). The pathophysiological basis of these signs is due to permanent damage of the uterine wall as far as the serosa, with placental tissue reaching the deep uterine circulation. Adherent and invasive placentation may coexist in the same placental bed and evolve with advancing gestation. This may explain why no single, or set combination of, ultrasound sign(s) was found to be specific for the depth of abnormal placentation, and accurate for the differential diagnosis between adherent and invasive placentation. Correlation of pathological and clinical findings with prenatal imaging is essential to improve screening, diagnosis, and management of placenta accreta spectrum, and standardized protocols need to be developed.

Rotura uterina durante el segundo trimestre de gestación asociado a placenta percreta: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literature / Uterine rupture during the second trimester of pregnancy associated with placenta percreta: presentation of a case and review of the literature

OBJETIVO: Reportar el manejo de un caso de rotura uterina asociado a percretismo placentario en el segundo trimestre de gestación; y realizar una revisión de la literatura acerca del diagnóstico y tratamiento de esta condición. PRESENTACIÓN DEL CASO: Paciente de 31 años con diagnóstico intraoperatorio de rotura uterina asociada a percretismo placentario a la semana 21 de gestación. Requirió manejo quirúrgico inmediato por abdomen agudo, presentando shock hipovolémico y muerte fetal in útero. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura registrada en las bases de datos entre el año 1995 y 2017 y publicados en inglés y español. Se incluyeron los reportes de y series de caso y artículos de revisión, con relación al diagnóstico prenatal y tratamiento. RESULTADOS: La mayoría de los casos reportados de rotura uterina se describen en mujeres con rotura uterina por percretismo entre la semana 9 y 34 de gestación. El tratamiento es quirúrgico en la gran mayoría de casos y su abordaje dependerá de los hallazgos intraoperatorios y condiciones médicas asociadas. CONCLUSIÓN: El acretismo placentario presentado en etapas tempranas de la gestación es rara, sin embargo, se debe sospechar según hallazgos clínicos y paraclínicos. El manejo debe estar dirigido de acuerdo al grado de invasión placentaria y situación hemodinámica, la mayoría de las veces es quirúrgico y realizado por un equipo interdisciplinario.

OBJECTIVE: To report the management of a case of uterine rupture associated with placental percreta in the second trimester of pregnancy, and to make a review of the literature about the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. PRESENTACION OF THE CASE: A 31-year-old patient with intraoperative diagnosis of uterine rupture associated with placental percretism at week 21 of gestation, who required immediate surgical intervention for acute abdomen, which developed in a hypovolemic shock and fetal death in utero. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Research was done of the literature registered in the databases between 1995 and 2017, and published in English and Spanish. We included case reports and case series and review articles, in relation to prenatal diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: The majority of reported cases of uterine rupture that are found in women with this condition are due to percretism between week 9 and 34 of gestation. The treatment is surgical in the great number of cases, which procedure will follow depending on the intraoperative findings and associated medical conditions. CONCLUSION: Placental accreta presented at early stages of gestation is rare, however it should be taken into account while considering the clinical and paraclinical findings. The treatment must be directed accordingly to the degree of placental invasion and hemodynamic situation, although most of the time will lead to surgery performed by an interdisciplinary team.

Anesthetic management of cesarean section in cases of placenta accreta, with versus without abdominal aortic balloon occlusion: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Placenta accreta (PA), a severe complication during delivery, is closely linked with massive hemorrhage which could endanger the lives of both mother and baby. Moreover, the incidence of PA has increased dramatically with the increasing rate of cesarean deliveries in the past few decades. Therefore, studies evaluating the effects of different perioperative managements based on different modalities in the treatment of PA are necessary. Among the numerous treatment measures, prophylactic abdominal aortic balloon occlusion (AABO) in combination with cesarean section for PA seems to be more advantageous than others. However, up to now, all studies on AABO were almost retrospective. Current evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routinely using the AABO technology for control intraoperative hemorrhage in patients with PA. Thus, we hope to carry out a prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT) study to confirm the effectiveness of the AABO technology in patients with PA. METHODS/DESIGN: This trial is an investigator-initiated, prospective RCT that will test the superiority of AABO in combination with cesarean section compared to the traditional hysterectomy following cesarean section for parturients with PA. A total of 170 parturients with PA undergoing cesarean section will be randomized to receive either AABO in combination with cesarean section or the traditional hysterectomy following cesarean section. The primary outcome is estimated blood loss. The most important secondary outcome is the occurrence of cesarean hysterectomy during delivery; others include blood transfusion volume, operating time, neonate's Apgar scores (collected at 1, 5 and 10 min), length of stay in intensive care unit, total hospital stay, and balloon occlusion-relative data. DISCUSSION: This prospective trial will test the superiority of AABO in combination with cesarean section compared to the traditional hysterectomy following cesarean section for parturients with PA. It may provide strong evidence about the benefits and risks of AABO in combination with cesarean section for parturients with PA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-INR-16008842 . Registered on 14 July 2016.

Comparison of temporary abdominal aortic occlusion with internal iliac artery occlusion for patients with placenta accreta - a non-randomised prospective study.

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy of temporary abdominal aortic occlusion with internal iliac artery occlusion for the management of placenta accreta. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 105 patients with placenta accreta were selected for treatment with temporary abdominal aortic occlusion (n = 57, group A) or bilateral iliac artery occlusion (n = 48, group B). Temporary abdominal aortic and internal iliac artery balloon occlusions were performed during caesarean sections. Data regarding the clinical success, blood loss, blood transfusion, balloon insertion time, fluoroscopy time, balloon occlusion time, foetal radiation dose, and complications were collected. RESULTS: Temporary abdominal aortic occlusion and bilateral internal iliac artery occlusion were technically successful in all patients. The amount of blood loss (P < 0.001), amount of blood transfusion (P < 0.001), balloon insertion time (P < 0.001), foetal radiation dose (P < 0.001) and fluoroscopy time (P < 0.01) in group A were significantly lower than those of patients in group B. No marked differences were found between these 2 groups with respect to age, mean postoperative hospital stay, balloon occlusion time, and Apgar score (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Temporary abdominal aortic balloon occlusion resulted in better clinical outcomes with less blood loss, blood transfusion, balloon insertion time, fluoroscopy time and foetal radiation dose than those in bilateral internal iliac balloon occlusion.
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Major obstetric hemorrhage.

Major obstetric hemorrhage is a challenge for anesthesiologists because it remains responsible for over 10% of maternal deaths in high-income countries. A standardized multidisciplinary management, described in locally validated protocols and based on international guidelines is mandatory to prevent these deaths. The first difficulty relies on the systematic underestimation of the bleeding. Collection bags must be used to facilitate the diagnosis and therefore rapid management. The etiologies in antenatal or postpartum must be well-known in order to be treated adequately. A rapid recourse to prostaglandins (sulprostone in France) may reverse uterine atony. Invasive approach with surgery or radiology should be promptly implemented (uterine artery or internal iliac artery ligations±uterus plication) and hysterectomy should then be timely considered. Simultaneously, early and aggressive resuscitation with large-bore venous accesses should be implemented for rapid and massive transfusion (4:4:1 RBC:FFP:platelets ratio), along with an early use of fibrinogen concentrates and tranexamic acid. This transfusion strategy may be then guided by thromboelastography or thromboelastometry and bedside hemoglobin measurements. Activated factor VII remains indicated only before or after hysterectomy in case of uncontrolled bleeding. Management of placentation abnormalities (placenta previa, accreta, increta, percreta) must be well mastered as these etiologies may generate cataclysmic hemorrhages that can be and have to be anticipated.

Spontaneous uterine rupture at 28 weeks: A case report.

Spontaneous Uterine rupture is associated with massive intra-peritoneal bleed which can be fatal if not recognized. We report a case of 32 year old multigravida at 28 weeks of gestation with history of liver cysts, previous caesarean and uterine curettage, who presented with acute abdominal pain and tenderness; ultrasound revealed placenta percreta. CT abdomen showed haemoperitoneum. The patient underwent emergency caesarean hysterectomy due to uterine rupture at the cornual site.

The urologist's role in multidisciplinary management of placenta percreta.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate urological interventions in patients with placental adhesive disorders in our collaborative experience at a tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data set, consisting of all women that presented with placental adhesive disorders at the Royal Women's Hospital from August 2009 to September 2013. Patients who required urological intervention were identified and perioperative details were retrieved. RESULTS: Of the 49 women that presented with placental adhesive disorders, 36 (73.5%) underwent urological interventions. The patients were divided into three groups: planned hysterectomy (37 patients), planned conservative management (five) and undiagnosed placenta percreta (seven). In the planned hysterectomy group, 29 patients underwent preoperative cystoscopy and ureteric catheter placement. In 10 patients (34%), the placenta partially invaded the bladder and/or ureter, requiring urological repair. In the conservative management group, four underwent preoperative cystoscopy and ureteric catheter placement, and one case required closure of a cystotomy. Of the seven patients with undiagnosed percreta, two were noted to have bladder involvement requiring repair at the time of Caesarean hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Patients with placental adhesive disorders frequently require urological intervention to prevent or repair injury to the urinary tract. These cases are best managed in specialist centres with multidisciplinary expertise including urologists and interventional radiologists.

Peri-operative management of hysterostomy in a parturient with complete heart block, placenta accreta and intrauterine death.

BACKGROUND: Complete heart block in pregnancy has serious implications particularly during the period of delivery. This is more so if the delivery is an operative one as the presence of heart block may produce haemodynamic instability in the intra operative period. We report a unique case of a pregnant mother with complete heart block undergoing hysterostomy, complicated by placenta accreta and intrauterine death. CASE PRESENTATION: A 37 year old Malaysian Chinese parturient was admitted at 25 weeks gestation following a scan which suggested intrauterine death and placenta accreta. She was diagnosed to have congenital complete heart block after her first delivery eight years previously but a pacemaker was never inserted. These medical conditions make her extremely likely to experience massive bleeding and haemodynamic instability. Among the measures taken to optimise her pre-operatively were the insertion of a temporary intravenous pacemaker and embolization of the uterine arteries to minimize peri-operative blood loss. She successfully underwent surgery under general anesthesia, which was relatively uneventful and was discharged well on the fourth post-operative day. CONCLUSION: Congenital heart block in pregnancies in the presence of potential massive bleeding is best managed by a team, with meticulous pre-operative optimization. Suggested strategies would include insertion of a temporary pacemaker and embolization of the uterine arteries to reduce the risk of the patient getting into life threatening situations.

MRI of the placenta - a short review.

While ultrasound is still the gold standard method of placental investigation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has certain benefits. In advanced gestational age, obese women, and posterior placental location, MRI is advantageous due to the larger field of view and its multiplanar capabilities. Some pathologies are seen more clearly in MRI, such as infarctions and placental invasive disorders. The future development is towards functional placental MRI. Placental MRI has become an important complementary method for evaluation of placental anatomy and pathologies contributing to fetal problems such as intrauterine growth restriction.

Anesthetic management of patients with placenta accreta and resuscitation strategies for associated massive hemorrhage.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Placenta accreta is one of the leading causes of peripartum hemorrhage. The goal of this article is to review anesthetic management of parturients with placenta accreta and to examine a modern approach to massive peripartum hemorrhage. RECENT FINDINGS: The incidence of placenta accreta is rising in parallel with the increased rate of cesarean delivery. If accreta is diagnosed or suspected preoperatively, anesthetic management can be optimized. Even with the best possible management, the blood loss associated with placenta accreta can resemble that of a major trauma. The use of Damage Control Resuscitation strategies to guide transfusion may improve morbidity and mortality. SUMMARY: Careful planning and close communication are essential between anesthesiology, obstetric, interventional radiology, gynecologic oncology, blood bank, and specialized surgical teams when taking care of a patient with placenta accreta.

Failure of uterine artery embolization for controlling postpartum hemorrhage.

AIM: We evaluated the efficacy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for controlling postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2009, 23 women with intractable PPH underwent UAE. Specific diagnoses included uterine atony (n = 10), placenta accreta (n = 8), puerperal hematoma (n = 2) and placental polyp (n = 3). RESULTS: Of 10 patients with uterine atony, treatment with UAE failed in two women with severe vasoconstriction. One patient developed lumbosacral plexopathy. All eight patients with placenta accreta were treated successfully with the placement of multiple sutures in the placental bed and UAE. Two of the three women with placental polyps were treated successfully with UAE and packing of the uterus. CONCLUSIONS: Embolization should follow resuscitation for vascular collapse. In the case of an adherent placenta, embolization is more effective with the placement of multiple sutures in the placental bed or compression of the placental bed.

Utility of the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries and human chorionic gonadotropin in a series of cases of placenta accreta.

The conservative management of retained placenta accreta has been proposed as an alternative option in selected cases. Three patients under conservative management of placenta accreta were followed using the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries and the ß fraction of human chorionic gonadotropin to determine the degree of vascularity between the uterus and the placenta. In this series of cases of conservative management of placenta accreta, the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries showed a better correlation with the uteroplacental circulation than serum ß fraction of human chorionic gonadotropin.