Critical Care in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Pregnant Women: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Evidence suggests that pregnant women are at a higher risk of complications compared to the general population when infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the reasons that lead them to need intensive care are not clear. This is a prospective multicenter study of SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women, registered by the Spanish Obstetric Emergency Group, with the objective to define the characteristics of the mothers who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and to investigate the causes and risk factors for ICU admission. A total of 1347 infected pregnant women were registered and analyzed, of whom, 35 (2.6%) were admitted to the ICU. No differences in maternal characteristics or comorbidities were observed between ICU and non-ICU patients, except for in vitro fertilization and multiple pregnancies. The main causes of admission to the ICU were non-obstetric causes (worsening of the maternal condition and respiratory failure due to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, 40%) and a combination of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms and obstetrical complications (31.4%). The multivariable logistic analysis confirmed a higher risk of ICU admission when pre-eclampsia or hemorrhagic events coexist with pneumonia. The incidence of thromboembolic events and disseminated intravascular coagulation were also significantly higher among patients admitted to the ICU. Therefore, surveillance and rapid intervention should be intensified in SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant women with the mentioned risk factors and complications. Emphasis should always be placed on anticoagulant therapy in these patients due to the increased thromboembolic risk, C-section surgery and immobilization in the ICU.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection and C-Section: A Prospective Observational Study.

Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. In addition to unfavorable perinatal outcomes, there has been an increase in obstetric interventions. With this study, we aimed to clarify the reasons, using Robson's classification model, and risk factors for cesarean section (C-section) in SARS-CoV-2-infected mothers and their perinatal results. This was a prospective observational study that was carried out in 79 hospitals (Spanish Obstetric Emergency Group) with a cohort of 1704 SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive pregnant women that were registered consecutively between 26 February and 5 November 2020. The data from 1248 pregnant women who delivered vaginally (vaginal + operative vaginal) was compared with those from 456 (26.8%) who underwent a C-section. C-section patients were older with higher rates of comorbidities, in vitro fertilization and multiple pregnancies (p < 0.05) compared with women who delivered vaginally. Moreover, C-section risk was associated with the presence of pneumonia (p < 0.001) and 41.1% of C-sections in patients with pneumonia were preterm (Robson's 10th category). However, delivery care was similar between asymptomatic and mild-moderate symptomatic patients (p = 0.228) and their predisposing factors to C-section were the presence of uterine scarring (due to a previous C-section) and the induction of labor or programmed C-section for unspecified obstetric reasons. On the other hand, higher rates of hemorrhagic events, hypertensive disorders and thrombotic events were observed in the C-section group (p < 0.001 for all three outcomes), as well as for ICU admission. These findings suggest that this type of delivery was associated with the mother's clinical conditions that required a rapid and early termination of pregnancy.

Control de anemia y transfusión en el manejo perioperatorio de pacientes con fractura de cadera. Estudio de cohorte longitudinal / Control of anemia and transfusion in perioperative management of patients with hip fracture. A Cohort Study

Introducción El objetivo del estudio es pormenorizar los factores asociados a fracturas de cadera, prestando especial atención a las necesidades de transfusión de hemoderivados y sus factores de riesgo, así como su modificación a través del tratamiento preoperatorio mediante la administración de hierro intravenoso. Materiales y métodos Estudio observacional prospectivo de 119 pacientes ingresados por fractura de cadera. Descripción detallada del protocolo para la optimización prequirúgica de estos pacientes. Se recopilaron datos epidemiológicos, valores analíticos, así como datos acerca de la administración de hierro intravenoso y necesidad de transfusión. Resultados El 31,09% de los pacientes se encontraban antiagregados y el 21,85% estaban anticoagulados en el momento de la admisión. La hemoglobina media al ingreso fue de 12,5g/dl. El 43,2% se transfundieron durante la estancia hospitalaria. En el análisis de los factores de riesgo para la transfusión demostramos estadísticamente que tanto la hemoglobina al ingreso (p<0.001), como los diagnósticos previos de anemia crónica, hipertensión arterial e insuficiencia renal, tienen una relación con la necesidad de transfusión intrahospitalaria. Encontramos una relación estadísticamente significativa entre la administración de hierro y la cantidad de concentrados de hematíes trasfundidos (p<0.005). Los requerimientos de transfusión sanguínea fueron mayores en las fracturas extracapsulares que en las intracapsulares (p=0,024). Discusión Los pacientes con fractura de cadera presentan frecuentemente bajos niveles de hemoglobina al ingreso, así como comorbilidades y tratamientos que predisponen al desarrollo de anemia perioperatoria. La optimización preoperatoria de estos pacientes mediante la administración de hierro intravenoso podría reducir las necesidades transfusionales.

Background Aim of the study is to describe the elements associated with hip fractures about needs for transfusion of blood products and their risk factors, as well as their modification through preoperative treatment through the administration of intravenous iron. Material and methods A Cohort study of 119 patients admitted for hip fracture was conducted. Detailed description of the protocol for the pre-surgical optimization of these patients, epidemiological data, analytical values, as well as data on intravenous iron administration and need for transfusion were collected. Results 31.09% of the patients were using platelet aggregation inhibitors and 21.85% were were using anticoagulants at the time of admission. The mean hemoglobin on admission was 12.5g / dl. 43.2% were transfused during the hospital stay. In the analysis of risk factors for transfusion, we statistically demonstrated that both hemoglobin on admission (p <0.001), as well as previous diagnoses of chronic anemia, arterial hypertension, and renal failure, are related to the need for intra-hospital transfusion. We found a statistically significant relationship between iron administration and the amount of packed red blood cells transfused (p <0.005). Blood transfusion requirements were higher in extra-capsular than in intra-capsular fractures (p=0.024). Discussion Patients with hip fracture frequently present low hemoglobin levels upon admission, as well as comorbidities and treatments that predispose to the development of perioperative anemia. Preoperative optimization of these patients by administering intravenous iron could reduce transfusion requirements.