A 29-year-old woman presenting for urgent cesarean hysterectomy: a multidisciplinary care challenge.

This case describes a patient who needed an urgent cesarean hysterectomy for new-onset fetal heart rate abnormalities and preexisting placenta accreta spectrum. Rapid assembly of a multidisciplinary team consisting of obstetrics, anesthesiology, neonatology, and nursing contributed to a favorable clinical outcome.

Effect of initial anesthetic technique on fetal cord blood gas pH for cesarean deliveries performed for the indication of fetal heart rate abnormalities.

Background: We hypothesized that parturients who had general anesthesia as the initial anesthetic technique for cesarean deliveries performed for fetal heart rate abnormalities would have a lower fetal cord blood gas pH compared to parturients who had regional anesthesia as the initial anesthetic technique. Methods: We searched our electronic medical record for patients who had cesarean deliveries for the indication of fetal heart rate abnormalities from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021, at our hospital. An obstetrics resident and a maternal fetal medicine physician determined if the fetal heart tracing was category 2 or 3. Results: A total of 130 and 29 patients with category 2 and 3 fetal heart tracing had regional and general anesthesia as the initial anesthetic technique, respectively. Fourteen and 20 patients with a category 3 fetal heart tracing had regional and general anesthesia as the initial anesthetic techniques, respectively. There were no differences in fetal cord blood gas pH between patients who had regional or general anesthesia as the first attempted anesthetic technique when patients with category 2 and 3 tracings were evaluated separately. Conclusion: The initial anesthetic technique attempted for cesarean delivery was not associated with a worse fetal cord blood gas pH.

Effect of encouraging a combined spinal epidural technique for cesarean delivery anesthesia.

A combined spinal epidural anesthetic technique allows an anesthesia provider to administer local anesthetic through an epidural catheter in the event of a failed spinal anesthetic. Prior to May 2019, our hospital performed single-shot spinal anesthesia exclusively for cesarean deliveries. In May 2019, anesthesia providers at our hospital were encouraged to perform combined spinal epidural anesthesia for cesarean delivery. We hypothesized that subjects who received combined spinal epidural anesthesia would have superior anesthetic outcomes compared to subjects who received single-shot spinal anesthesia. We performed a retrospective review of subjects who had cesarean deliveries at our hospital from May 15, 2019, through April 15, 2021, who received either single-shot spinal anesthesia or combined spinal epidural anesthesia. Subjects who received combined spinal epidural anesthesia were older, had a higher body mass index, had higher parity, were more likely to have had a cesarean delivery in the past, were more likely to have had the neuraxial anesthetic technique performed by a junior resident, and had a lower intrathecal dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine. Combined spinal epidural anesthesia had similar anesthetic outcomes to single-shot spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery despite more complex subjects with less experienced operators.

Effect of a placenta accreta spectrum multidisciplinary team and checklist on maternal outcomes for planned hysterectomy at time of cesarean delivery.

Evidence suggests that multidisciplinary teams that perform cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum have better maternal outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a multidisciplinary team on outcomes for patients with placenta accreta spectrum at our institution. We examined all planned cesarean hysterectomy procedures performed for placenta accreta syndrome at our hospital between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2021. Nine and 21 subjects had planned cesarean hysterectomy before and after implementation of the new procedures, respectively. Overall, there was an increase in volume of cases and depth of placental invasion but no change in the demographic characteristics of patients. Additionally, we found decreased blood loss, decreased blood transfusions from a median of 2 units to 0 units, and decreased intensive care unit admission rates from 22.2% to 4.8%, but these results did not reach statistical significance. The main limitation of our study was our small number of subjects. Our findings suggest that multidisciplinary placenta accreta teams improve maternal outcomes for hysterectomy at the time of cesarean delivery.

Choice of anesthetic technique for dilation and curettage for indication of pregnancy loss.

We hypothesized that patients at our hospital who received general anesthesia as the initial anesthetic technique for dilation and curettage for loss of pregnancy during the first or second trimesters would have a higher estimated blood loss compared to patients who had sedation. We searched our electronic medical record system for patients who had a dilation and curettage for the indication of loss of pregnancy during the first or second trimesters from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021. A total of 165 (72%) and 64 (28%) patients had general anesthesia and sedation, respectively, as the initial anesthetic technique. Patients who had general anesthesia and sedation had estimated blood loss interquartile ranges of 50 to 500 mL and 30 to 100 mL, respectively (P < 0.01). A multivariate model that controlled for gestational age and location of procedure found that the odds ratio of patients receiving sedation for dilation and curettage in the labor and delivery suite was 7.24 (95% confidence interval 2.92, 17.94; P < 0.01) compared to the main operating room. Dilation and curettage that used sedation was associated with a lower estimated blood loss and was more likely to be performed in the labor and delivery suite.

SARS-CoV-2 testing and clinical outcomes in a Texas tertiary care center labor and delivery unit.

Our hospital adopted universal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for labor and delivery patients in April 2020. The primary aim of this study was to determine the number of subjects from April 1, 2020, to July 31, 2020, who had laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the secondary aims were to report demographic and clinical data for subjects with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection and the time from SARS-CoV-2 test collection to result for tests administered in the hospital. A total of 898 subjects had either vaginal or cesarean deliveries with a gestational age of >20 weeks during the study period. Of this group, 746 subjects underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing, and 16 had a positive test result. Four of the 16 subjects with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection had documented symptoms at the time of admission. The difference in cohort size was too large to make a meaningful statistical comparison in demographic and clinical data between those with positive vs negative SARS-CoV-2 test results. The median time from SARS-CoV-2 test collection to result decreased from 239 minutes in April 2020 to 119 minutes in July 2020. Universal SARS-CoV-2 testing revealed a 2.1% positivity rate during our study period.

Usefulness of low-dose combined spinal epidural anesthesia for a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus, mechanical prosthesis in the mitral valve position, and worsening heart failure presenting for cesarean delivery.

A 31-year-old woman, gravida one, para zero, at 32 weeks, 4 days gestation, with a history of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, mitral valve replacement requiring anticoagulation, chronic diastolic heart failure, and systemic lupus erythematous was admitted to the hospital for worsening cardiac decompensation with superimposed pneumonia. She was on warfarin for anticoagulation at the time of hospital admission and eventually started on an intravenous heparin infusion. Cesarean delivery was planned due to comorbidities and anticoagulation status. After administration of betamethasone for fetal lung maturity, the patient's heparin infusion was discontinued approximately 16 hours prior to cesarean delivery. Upon obtaining laboratory testing that confirmed appropriate coagulation status, a low-dose combined spinal epidural anesthetic technique was used for cesarean delivery and the expected hemodynamic shifts due to spinal anesthesia were mitigated with a prophylactic norepinephrine infusion.

Therapeutic options in the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in pregnant patient.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has resulted in the development of various therapeutics to treat and prevent major complications related to the virus; pregnant patients are vulnerable to acquiring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 because of frequent contact with the healthcare setting. Despite the publication of a plethora of case series and randomized control trials of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 therapeutics, few have addressed treatment in the pregnant population. To date, there has been no published review of therapeutic options in the treatment of pregnant patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Here, we provide a review of available treatments for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, various trials with inclusion and exclusion of the pregnant patients, and potential side effects of each treatment in the pregnant patient.

Attitudes of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynecology Regarding the Structure of Residency Training.

OBJECTIVE: To measure future and current resident perspectives on obstetrics and gynecology residency training structure and possible future models. METHODS: Medical students invited for obstetrics and gynecology residency interviews and residents (postgraduate year [PGY]-1-4) at the University of Colorado, the University of Washington, the University of California San Francisco, Loyola University, Saint Joseph's Hospital, and Texas A&M in 2017-2018 received a voluntary, electronic survey regarding possible models for restructuring residency training. Student and resident responses were compared using χ test for categorical and two-sample t-test for continuous items. RESULTS: Applicants (63%, 280/444) and residents (66%, 101/153) had similar response rates (overall response rate 64%). Applicants (24%) and residents (29%) reported having concerns about the current structure of residency training. The ideal residency duration was reported as 4 years by 72% of applicants and 85% of residents. Lack of gynecologic surgical volume was the most frequently reported concern among applicants (75%) and residents (72%). Fourth-year tracking (focusing on training aligned with postgraduation career path) was preferred by 90% of applicants and 77% of residents (P=.002) and 92% among respondents planning fellowship. Most applicants (68%) and residents (75%) preferred not starting fellowship training after the 3rd year of residency. DISCUSSION: The majority of learners surveyed support a 4-year training structure but likewise support individualizing training in PGY-4. It is imperative that obstetrics and gynecology leadership consider this and other feedback from learners when considering modifications to the current training paradigm.

Short-term risk of cardiovascular readmission following a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Women with pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) have increased long-term cardiovascular (CV) risk. We sought to determine if they demonstrate increased short-term CV risk. METHODS: Using administrative records, all hospital-based deliveries in Florida from 2004 to 2010 and subsequent readmission to any Florida hospital within 3 years of index delivery were identified. Deliveries and clinical diagnoses were determined using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. HDP included pregnancies complicated by gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. Outcomes were CV readmission (acute myocardial infarction, stroke or heart failure), non-CV readmission and any readmission within 3 years of delivery excluding subsequent deliveries. Associations were determined using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 1 452 926 records from delivering mothers of singleton infants (mean age 27.2±6.2 years; 52% white, 23% African American (AA), 18% Hispanic), there were 4054 CV and 259 252 non-CV readmissions. Women with HDP had higher CV readmission rates (6.4 vs 2.5/1000 deliveries; P<0.001). AA women had higher rates of CV readmission than whites or Hispanics (6.8 vs 1.7 vs 1.0/1000 deliveries, respectively; P<0.001). Women with HDP had higher multivariate risk of CV readmission (OR 2.41; 95% CI 2.08 to 2.80) and any readmission (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.15). Compared with whites, AA women had higher risk for CV readmission (OR 3.60; 95% CI 3.32 to 3.90) after adjustment for HDP. CONCLUSION: Women with HDP had twice the risk of CV readmission within 3 years of delivery, with higher rates among AA women. More work is needed to explore preventive strategies for HDP-associated events.

Career Expectations of Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents and Future Residents.

OBJECTIVE: To understand contemporary fourth-year medical student and resident career expectations in obstetrics and gynecology. METHODS: Students invited for obstetrics and gynecology residency interviews and residents (postgraduate years 1-4) at the University of Colorado, University of Washington, University of California San Francisco, Loyola University, St. Joseph's Hospital, and Texas A&M in 2016-2017 received a voluntary, electronic survey regarding career expectations. Questions were compared between students and residents using a χ test for category responses and for age a two-sample t test. RESULTS: Response rates were similar between students (68% [277/409]) and residents (63% [97/153]). Residents compared with students were more frequently planning to enter private practice (43% vs 19%) and less frequently planning an academic career (19.4% vs 30.4%) or subspecialties (38% vs 51%) (P<.001). Although most respondents planned to work full-time (96% vs 94.9%), 83% (vs 94%) of residents planned to work greater than 40 hours per week (P<.001). Respondents reported greater than $150,000 in educational debt (65%) and anticipated starting salary greater than $200,000 (89%). More residents planned to retire by age 60 years (23% vs 7%) (P<.001). Thirty-eight percent of residents reported having changed career plans during residency, citing work-life balance as the most important factor (89%). DISCUSSION: Trainees' career expectations appear to evolve over time moving toward a higher likelihood to pursue private practice, work fewer hours, and retire earlier despite large educational debt. It is critical that the specialty understand these trends when planning to address national workforce needs.

A p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor attenuates cardiotonic steroids-induced apoptotic and stress signaling in a Sw-71 cytotrophoblast cell line.

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia (preE) is characterized by abnormal placentation. Marinobufagenin (MBG), a cardiotonic steroid (CTS), inhibits the function of cytotrophoblast cells (CTBs). We demonstrated that CTSs induce anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative effects in Sw-71 CTBs. This study tests that CTSs induce apoptotic and stress signaling. METHODS: Human extravillous Sw-71 CTBs were incubated with 0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 nM of each of three CTSs (MBG, cinobufatalin (CINO) and ouabain (OUB)) for 48 h. Some cells were pretreated with 10 µM p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor (SB203580) for 2 h prior to CTSs treatment. We analyzed p38 MAPK phosphorylation, expression of pro-inflammatory protein cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and ratio of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) to anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein by western blot in CTSs-treated CTBs lysates. Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin (sEng) were measured in culture media using ELISA kits. Statistical comparisons were performed using analysis of variance with Duncan's post hoc test. RESULTS: p38 MAPK phosphorylation, expression of Cox-2 and Bax/Bcl-2 was upregulated (*p < 0.05) in CTBs exposed to ≥ 0.1 nM CTSs. Secretion of sFlt-1 and sEng were increased while VEGF and PIGF were decreased in Sw-71 CTBs treated ≥1 nM of each CTSs (*p < 0.01 for each). The SB203580 pretreatment of CTBs significantly attenuated CTS-induced effects. DISCUSSION: Exposure of Sw-71 CTBs to CTSs induced apoptotic and stress signaling and causing anti-angiongenic effect. The observed diminution of CTS-induced signaling by SB203580 pretreatment implicates p38 MAPK as a regulator of these pathways.