Gestational age at initiation of 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) and recurrent preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare rates of recurrent preterm birth between women starting treatment with 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) at 16-20.9 weeks of gestation versus 21-26.9 weeks. METHODS: Women enrolled in an outpatient program of education, nursing assessment and weekly 17P injections beginning at 16-26.9 weeks were eligible. Included were patients with singleton pregnancies and a history of preterm delivery (PTD). Pregnancy outcome was compared between women starting 17P at 16-20.9 weeks (n=156) and those starting 17P at 21-26.9 weeks (n=119) using Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney U test statistics (p<0.05 considered significant). RESULTS: Mean gestational age at delivery (36.8 +/- 3.0 vs. 36.7 +/- 2.5) and rates of PTD at <37 weeks (40.4% vs. 48.7%), <35 weeks (16.7% vs. 16.8%) and <32 weeks (5.1% vs. 5.0%) were similar between the groups; all p > 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of preterm delivery were similar in patients initiating 17P at 16-20.9 or 21-26.9 weeks. A larger sample size is warranted in order to confirm our findings.

Acute onset headache complicating labor epidural caused by intrapartum pneumocephalus.

BACKGROUND: Epidural placement for obstetric anesthesia is a common procedure. Pneumocephalus, the introduction of air into the cranial cavity after epidural placement, is a rare complication encountered when air is used for identification of the epidural space. CASE: A 42-year-old primipara undergoing epidural placement reported sudden onset of severe headache with associated neurologic symptoms and nuchal rigidity. Emergent CT scan revealed pneumocephalus. With conservative management, her symptoms resolved with interval resumption of the air collection evidenced on interval CT. CONCLUSION: Acute onset headache after epidural placement can present with impressive neurologic signs and symptoms. Prompt identification of the cause of this pathology is of vital importance to delineate pneumocephalus from potentially treatable or life-threatening disorders.

Significance of accidental extensions in the lower uterine segment during cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine risk factors and perioperative complications associated with accidental extensions in the lower uterine segment during cesarean deliveries (CDs). STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective chart review of all CDs performed at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami between the years 1999 and 2002. Operative reports were reviewed to abstract data on the occurrence of extensions. Indication for CD, cervical status at the time of CD, birth weight, and fetal presentation and position were included in the analyses. Postoperative hematocrits, length of surgery, estimated blood loss, decline in hematocrit by 10%, need for transfusion, or hysterectomy were compared among CD with and without extensions. RESULTS: A total of 2,811 CDs were available for this study. Accidental extensions in the lower uterine segment occurred in 6.6% of the cases. Extensions were more commonly found in primary CD (8% vs 5%, P < .01. Extensions were more frequent if cervical dilatation was 8 cm or greater (18.3% vs 7%, P < .01), complete effacement (15% vs 8%, P < .01) station greater than +1 (16% vs 6.9%, P < .01), and if the fetal position was noted to be in the occiput posterior position (10% vs 5%, P < .01). When extensions were present, length of surgery was longer (56 vs 49 minutes, P < .01) and estimated blood loss was greater (994 +/- 675 mL vs 936 +/- 370 mL, P < .01). Arrest of descent as indication for CD was found to be an independent risk factor for the occurrence of extensions during CD (odds ratio 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.5, P = .001). CONCLUSION: Extensions in the lower uterine segment during CD do not increase maternal morbidity.

Elevated plasma endothelial microparticles: preeclampsia versus gestational hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Elevated plasma endothelial microparticle levels have been found to be elevated in women with preeclampsia. However, their role in distinguishing preeclampsia from gestational hypertension remains to be elucidated. The objectives of this study were to compare endothelial microparticle levels among patients with preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and healthy pregnant control subjects and to evaluate the effect of plasma from women with preeclampsia and gestational hypertension on the release of endothelial microparticles by renal microvascular endothelial cells. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted on 52 women with preeclampsia, 20 women with gestational hypertension, and 38 healthy pregnant control subjects. Endothelial microparticles were measured by flow cytometry with fluorescent monoclonal mouse anti-human antibodies against CD31, CD42b, and CD62E. RESULTS: CD31 + /42b - endothelial microparticle levels were 10497 +/- 5145 counts/microL in women with preeclampsia versus 6768 +/- 1810 counts/microL in women with gestational hypertension ( P < .01). In control subjects, CD31 + /42b - endothelial microparticle levels were 6119 +/- 3592 counts/microL. CD62E + endothelial microparticle levels were 1930 +/- 966 counts/microL in women with preeclampsia versus 822 +/- 150 counts/microL in women with gestational hypertension ( P <.01). In control subjects, CD62E + endothelial microparticle levels were 712 +/- 160 counts/microL. Incubation of renal microvascular endothelial cells with plasma from women with preeclampsia resulted in a rise in CD31 + and CD62E + endothelial microparticle levels as compared with women with gestational hypertension and control subjects. CONCLUSION: Endothelial microparticle levels are higher in women with preeclampsia than in women with gestational hypertension and control subjects. The measurement of endothelial microparticles may be useful as a diagnostic tool for preeclampsia in pregnant women.