Universal Screening for SARS-CoV-2 in Obstetric Care: Clinical Characteristics and Maternofetal Outcomes in a Latin American High-Complexity Unit.

The asymptomatic population's role in COVID-19 transmission poses challenges for control efforts. Pregnant women are susceptible to severe manifestations, increasing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. This study describes the clinical characteristics, maternal and fetal outcomes, and our experience in universal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) screening of pregnant women admitted to a high-complexity obstetric unit in Latin America. Of 568 pregnant women tested for SARS-CoV-2, 23 obtained a positive result. Among these patients, 17% had symptoms at admission, and 0.2% reported an epidemiological link. Pregnant women with positive were associated with an increased risk of eclampsia (16.7% vs 4.9%, P = .014) and acute respiratory distress (16.7% vs 4.9%, P = .014). In this group, 4 patients developed maternal near misses, and no maternal deaths were noted. Two early perinatal deaths occurred in the positive SARS-CoV-2 test group (2, 9.5% vs 17, 4.1%, P = .235). The high prevalence of asymptomatic pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 and the adverse outcomes for those infected during pregnancy highlights the importance of universal screening upon hospital admission. This approach streamlines risk management, and enhances service structure, resource allocation, care pathways, patient management, follow-up, and overall outcomes.

Description of criteria for near miss in high-complexity obstetric population with sickle cell anemia: an observational study.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common monogenic diseases worldwide, affecting approximately 30 million people across the globe. It is one of the most common hemoglobinopathies affecting pregnancy, particularly in the black population. Pregnant women with SCD, in conjunction with the physiological changes of pregnancy, have an increased risk of developing severe maternal and fetal complications.Materials and methods: A descriptive, observational study was conducted retrospectively to determine the maternal and neonatal disease burden of pregnant women with SCD between 2011 and 2016. The study included pregnant patients with SCD admitted to the hospital, with confirmed diagnosis through hemoglobin electrophoresis. Patients having no confirmatory testing of the disease were excluded.Results: In all, 54% (34 patients) had no previous diagnosis of sickle cell anemia or presence of sickle cell trait, and so an in-hospital diagnosis was carried out through hemoglobin gel electrophoresis, whereas the remaining 46% (28 patients) had already a peripheral diagnosis. In total, the following profiles were obtained: Hb AS 62.9% (39 patients), Hb SC 17.7% (11 patients), Hb SS 16.1% (10 patients), Hb AC 3.2% (2 patients), and Hb CC 0% (0 patients). Vaso-occlusive pain crises constituted the most common cause of hospital admission antepartum (54.8% of the general population), occurring in 100% of the patients with Hb SS and Hb AC, in 45% of the Hb SC group and in 43% of those with the Hb AS trait. The second cause of hospital admission encompassed infectious processes, which affected 45% of the general population, 30% of the Hb AS group, 60% of the Hb SS group, 77% of the Hb SC group, and 100% of the Hb AC group. The method of termination of pregnancy of 44% (27 patients) was C-section. The most common perinatal complication was preterm birth, occurring in 26% (16 patients), with the highest incidence in the Hb AC group. The second most common complication was the intrauterine growth restriction, reported in 6% (4 patients) of all patients, being most frequently in the Hb SS group.Conclusion: Pregnant women having SCD should be assessed and managed by a multidisciplinary team composed of hematology, perinatology, and intensive care. Management should be conducted preferably in high-quality centers experienced in treating this entity, thereby decreasing the great impact of morbidity and mortality associated with SCD in the pregnant population.

Use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Surgical Site Infection During Pregnancy: A Case Study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a known cause of morbidity and mortality; however, evidence related to management of SSIs during pregnancy is sparse. CASE: A 26-year-old female patient with an adnexal cystic lesion underwent laparotomy at 19 weeks of pregnancy. She experienced a late SSI 10 days after initial surgery, necessitating surgical debridement. She was treated with multiple surgical interventions for wound irrigations and wound closure assisted by a negative pressure wound therapy. CONCLUSION: Negative pressure wound therapy was used for treatment of an SSI during pregnancy without causing premature delivery or requiring a cesearan section.

A blueprint to establish a four-bed obstetric critical care unit in the labor ward of a central hospital.

Patients at risk of organ dysfunction or with established organ dysfunction should be referred to central or tertiary-level hospitals. However, even in central hospitals, intensive care unit (ICU) beds are often unavailable, which may contribute to maternal deaths. One pragmatic solution is to establish obstetric critical care units (OCCUs) in the labor wards of central hospitals; however, specific guidance on how to do this is limited. In addition, globally applicable standards of care are lacking, with uncertainty regarding who should lead obstetric critical care. In this article the specific OCCU infrastructure, equipment and human resources required to establish such units in central hospitals in low- and middle-income countries are described in sufficient detail for easy replication. Admission and discharge guidelines and operational recommendations that include quality indicators are also provided.

Paraganglioma in pregnancy: interdisciplinary management during pregnancy.

Paragangliomas are tumors that originate from the extra-adrenal neural crest, the incidence of which during pregnancy is not more than two to eight cases per million people per year and are known to be highly morbid. The purpose of this report is to describe the experience and results obtained during management of a primigravida diagnosed with paraganglioma on week 21.2 and received both medical and surgical management with good maternal and perinatal outcomes. This case report evidences the importance of practicing interdisciplinary management of patients with clinical suspicion of paragangliomas or pheochromocytomas during pregnancy at high-complexity centers even in a medium-income country.

Hepatic rupture associated with preeclampsia, report of three cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic rupture is a complication during pregnancy that, although rare, accounts for high morbidity and mortality rates. It is mainly associated with severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Incidence is estimated to be at one per 67,000 births or one per 2000 patients with preeclampsia/eclampsia/HELLP, mainly in multiparous women; women in their 40s; after 32 weeks of gestation; and during the first 15 h postpartum. CASES: This article exposes the institutional experience at Fundación Valle del Lili in Cali, Colombia, in managing and treating hepatic rupture associated with severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome in three patients in the 30th, the 26th, and the 27th week of gestation, not resulting in maternal death. DISCUSSION: A search in Pubmed, Embase, and Ovid from 2000 to 2017 resulted in 35 cases reported in either pregnant or puerperal women. Hepatic rupture is a rare complication in pregnancy associated with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Its pathophysiology is attributed to the presence of vasospasm due to an increase in concentration and sensitivity to circulating vasopressors during pregnancy. There is no standard management, but surgery reduces mortality significantly. It includes endovascular management, partial hepatectomy, or transplant (only one patient required a liver transplant in our search). The most used techniques have been ligation of the hepatic artery, embolization of the hepatic artery, and examination, packing, and drainage of hepatic lesion for bleeding control (27 cases were treated with laparotomy with evacuation of hematoma and hemostasis and four cases were treated with embolization of the hepatic artery). Hepatic artery occlusion both by surgery ligation and by embolization through interventional radiology has reported successful and failing results during pregnancy Conclusion: Management of pathologies as hepatic rupture associated with severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome has to be clearly protocolized for prompt diagnosis and early management. Furthermore, it has to be carried out through multidisciplinary teams in high-complexity obstetrics scenarios.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in pregnancy: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a serious complication associated with the use of drugs that affect dopaminergic system neurotransmission. The occurrence of NMS during pregnancy or gestation is considered a life-threatening obstetric emergency. CASE: We are reporting the first case in Latin America of NMS in one pregnant women with acute psychotic episode. One day after starting with antipsychotic therapy, she developed a fever higher than 39.0 °C with tachycardia, tachypnea, generalized muscle rigidity and somnolence, with creatine kinase (CPK) levels evidencing a result of 2800 U/L. She was treated successfully with levetiracetam, biperiden and quetiapine. DISCUSSION: A search in PubMed, Embase and Ovid from 1988 to 2016 resulted in seven cases reported in either pregnant or puerperal women. In general, NMS resolves within 3-14 days; most NMS cases reported during pregnancy have involved the use of haloperidol (5 case reports) which is concordant with this report. The obstetric results were good in cases reported, only two women showed signs, among them: hyperemesis gravidarum and preterm delivery. Most of the pregnant women who had NMS presented other associated comorbidities, being mostly of infectious origin. In other investigations, it has been affirmed that NMS can become lethal in adults; however, in our search for pregnant women with this disease, no associated mortality was found. CONCLUSIONS: NMS is seen infrequently during pregnancy. The clinical diagnosis requires high suspicion by the examiner. It is important that obstetricians timely recognize the condition.

Trombosis de vena cava inferior en embarazo a término: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Inferior vena cava thrombosis in term pregnancy: Case report and review of the literature

RESUMEN Objetivo: Realizar una revisión de la literatura publicada sobre el tratamiento de la trombosis de vena cava inferior en las gestantes. Materiales y métodos: Se describe un caso de trombosis de vena cava inferior en embarazo a término que consultó a una institución privada de cuarto nivel de complejidad, centro de referencia. Se manejó inicialmente con heparina de bajo peso molecular, suspendida 24 horas antes del parto. Se obtuvo un buen resultado perinatal, aunque presentó hemorragia postparto y hematoma perineal. Posteriormente se hizo manejo endovascular para trombolisis e intento de trombectomía. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura con los términos "vena cava inferior", "filtros de vena cava", "trombosis" y "embarazo". Se incluyeron reportes de caso y series de casos en inglés y español. Se seleccionaron todos los casos que describieran el tratamiento utilizado en mujeres con trombosis de vena cava inferior, diagnosticadas durante el embarazo o el puerperio. Resultados: Se incluyeron 17 publicaciones que cumplieron con los criterios de búsqueda. Se identificaron 41 casos; 35 pacientes fueron diagnosticadas con trombosis de vena cava inferior durante el embarazo y 6 durante el puerperio. El 100 % de las pacientes fueron anticoaguladas con heparina de bajo peso molecular o heparina no fraccionada, 34 gestantes requirieron filtro de vena cava inferior para manejo periparto y solo una gestante terminó en trombectomía. Conclusión: La trombosis de vena cava inferior en el periparto es un reto desde el punto de vista terapéutico, se debe equilibrar el riesgo de TEP y hemorragia masiva. Es fundamental tener una adecuada coordinación entre los diferentes servicios implicados garantizando máxima seguridad para evitar complicaciones.

ABSTRACT Objective: To conduct a review of the published literature on the treatment of inferior vena cava thrombosis in pregnancy. Materials and methods: Case description of inferior vena cava thrombosis in a woman with term pregnancy coming to a private level IV referral centre. It was initially managed with low-molecular weight heparin, which was discontinued 24 hours before delivery. Although the perinatal outcome was good, the patient developed postpartum bleeding and perineal haematoma. Endovascular treatment for thrombolysis and attempted thrombectomy was performed later. A review of the literature was conducted using the terms "inferior vena cava", "vena cava filters", "thrombosis" and "pregnancy". Case reports and case series in English and Spanish were included. All the cases describing the treatment used in women with vena cava thrombosis diagnosed during pregnancy or the postpartum period were selected. Results: Overall, 17 publications that met the search criteria were included, and 41 cases were identified: 35 patients were diagnosed with inferior vena cava thrombosis during pregnancy and 6 were identified during the postpartum period. Low molecular weight heparin or unfractionated heparin was used for anticoagulation in 100 % of the patients; 34 pregnant women required inferior vena cava filter for peripartum management, and only one patient needed thrombectomy. Conclusion: Peripartum inferior vena cava thrombosis is challenging from the therapeutic point of view. There is a need to balance the risk of pulmonary thromboembolism and massive bleeding. Adequate coordination between the different services involved is mandatory in order to ensure maximum safety and avoid complications.

Oclusión temporal de la aorta abdominal mediante el uso de balón intraarterial en acretismo placentario: reporte de un caso / Temporal occlusion of the abdominal aorta using an intra-arterial balloon in the placental accreta: a case report

RESUMEN El acretismo placentario es una enfermedad caracterizada por una inserción anómala de la placenta en la pared uterina. La oclusión infra renal de la aorta abdominal es un procedimiento innovador usado para disminuir el flujo vascular a la pelvis y lograr un mejor control del sangrado. Nosotros reportamos el caso de una gestante de 33 años con embarazo de 25 semanas y diagnóstico de placenta percreta, se aplicó el protocolo institucional que incluye: colocación de catéteres ureterales, inserción de balón intra aórtico (BIA) y finalización del embarazo por cesárea (urología, cirugía de trauma y cuidado critico obstétrico). El binomio madre hijo no presentó complicaciones, el sangrado visual estimado fue de 800 cc y la evolución posquirúrgica fue satisfactoria (sin signos de hipoperfusión o hiperlactatemia); no se reportó mortalidad materno-perinatal. Nuestra experiencia abre la posibilidad a los países de medianos y bajos ingresos a la innovación en la aplicación de estrategias para disminuir la pérdida de sangre intraoperatoria y la necesidad de transfusión; el uso del BIA es una estrategia segura para el control vascular en pacientes con percretismo placentario.

ABSTRACT Placenta accreta is characterized by anomalous placental insertion onto the uterine wall. Infra-renal aortic occlusion is an innovative procedure that reduces blood flow to the pelvis, which helps to achieve a better bleeding control. This case report is about a 33-year-old pregnant woman at 25 weeks, diagnosed with placenta percreta. We used our institutional protocol which includes: insertion of two urethral catherters, insertion of intraaortic balloon and pregnancy termination via cesarean section. Neither the mother or the newborn suffered any complications, the estimated visual bleeding was 800 cc. Postoperative evolution was satisfactory (without signs of hypoperfusion or hyperlactatemia) and there was not any reports of materno-perinatal mortality. This experience allows low and middle income countries the possibility to innovate regarding strategies to decrease intraoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements; intraaortic balloon insertion is a safe strategy to achieve bleeding control in patients with placenta percreta.

Embarazo heterotópico espontáneo con ruptura tubárica y choque hipovolémico. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía / Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy with tubular breakage and hypovolemic Shok. A case report and literature review

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: Puesto que el embarazo heterotópico es poco común, representa un reto diagnóstico clínico y ecográfico que requiere un alto índice de sospecha. El enfoque terapéutico y la vía quirúrgica a elegir dependen de las condiciones clínicas y hemodinámicas de la paciente. Cuando las intervenciones son oportunas el embarazo intrauterino puede continuar y llegar a término. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente con embarazo intrauterino de 11.1 semanas que ingresó al servicio de Urgencias debido a sangrado vaginal, con signos clínicos de choque. La ecografía pélvica reportó, además del embarazo intrauterino, una imagen sugerente de embarazo heterotópico tubárico derecho y abundante cantidad de líquido libre. Se reanimó con hemocomponentes, laparotomía de urgencia, drenado de hemoperitoneo masivo. Requirió salpingectomía y resección del epiplón afectado, con buena evolución del embarazo intrauterino hasta el término CONCLUSIONES: El tratamiento de elección del embarazo ectópico sigue siendo quirúrgico. La vía de acceso depende de las condiciones hemodinámicas de la pa-ciente. La laparoscopia es el patrón de referencia del tratamiento y la laparotomía es la opción cuando la laparoscopia no es posible por razones técnicas, logísticas, o por inestabilidad hemodinámica derivada de la ruptura tubárica.

Abstract BACKGROUND: The heterotopic pregnancy is considered a rare condition that rep-resents a diagnostic challenge both clinical and ultrasound requiring a high index of suspicion, the therapeutic approach and the surgical route will depend on the clinical and hemodynamic conditions of the patient, being able to achieve a successful conti-nuity of intrauterine gestation when timely interventions are made. CLINICAL CASE: Patient with a known diagnosis of intrauterine gestation of 11.1 weeks who was admitted to the emergency room due to vaginal bleeding, with clini-cal signs of shock and pelvic ultrasound that reports a suggestive image of right tubal heterotopic pregnancy and abundant free liquid. Resuscitation is performed with blood components and surgical management with emergency laparotomy, draining massive hemoperitoneum, requires salpingectomy and resection of omentum compromised, with good evolution and progression of intrauterine gestation to term CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of choice for ectopic pregnancy remains surgical. The route of admission depends on the hemodynamic conditions of the patient. Laparoscopy is the reference standard of treatment and laparotomy is the option when laparoscopy is not possible due to technical, logistical or hemodynamic instability derived from tubal rupture.

Hipertrigliceridemia familiar severa en el embarazo: tratamiento con plasmaféresis. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía / Severe familial hypertriglyceridemia: management with plasmapheresis. Case report and literature review

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: Durante el embarazo suceden cambios adaptativos, secundarios a las variaciones hormonales, como las alteraciones en la concentración de lípidos plasmáticos necesarias para garantizar la adecuada nutrición al feto. Algunas veces la concentración de triglicéridos sobrepasa los límites de tolerancia y ello pone en riesgo la salud de la madre. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente con antecedente de un embarazo, hipertrigliceridemia familiar que se exacerbó por los procesos fisiológicos del embarazo. Se hospitalizó para tratarla y los especialistas en Nutrición y Endocrinología le indicaron fármacos y plasmaféresis. CONCLUSIONES: La plasmaféresis es un método efectivo después de seis sesiones de tratamiento con el que se logran reducir 70% las concentraciones séricas triglicéridos, aunque no fue una medida definitiva y se requirió finalizar el embarazo.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Adaptive changes occur in pregnancy, secondary to hormonal variations, one of which is alterations in the level of plasma lipids that aims to ensure adequate nutrition to the fetus. However, sometimes triglycerides reach such high levels that they could compromise maternal health. CLINICAL CASE: The case of a female patient with a history of familial hypertriglyceridemia, exacerbated by the physiological processes of pregnancy, is presented. It was managed intrahospitalary, followed by nutrition and endocrinology, in addition to the use of pharmacological treatment and plasmapheresis. CONCLUSIONS: The use of plasmapheresis was evaluated as a therapeutic measure, where it was found to be an equally effective method after 6 sessions of treatment, achieving a 70% reduction in serum levels of triglycerides, however it was not a definitive measure and it was necessary to end the pregnancy.

Embarazo ectópico abdominal avanzado: reporte de casos y revisión de la literatura / Advanced ectopic abdominal pregnancy: Case report and review of the literature

RESUMEN Objetivo: Reportar dos casos de embarazo ectópico abdominal avanzado, con buen resultado materno / perinatal, y revisar la literatura disponible con respecto al manejo de la placenta y el pronóstico de esta entidad. Materiales y métodos: Se describen dos casos de embarazo ectópico abdominal avanzado en los que se realizó extracción de la placenta, con feto viable y resultado perinatal favorable. Estos fueron atendidos en una institución de cuarto nivel de complejidad,ubicada en la ciudad de Cali, Colombia. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura registrada en las bases de datos Medline vía PubMed, con los términos de búsqueda: "embarazo abdominal", "embarazo esplénico", "embarazo hepático", "embarazo omental" y "embarazo peritoneal". La búsqueda se limitó a artículos publicados durante los últimos doce años en inglés y español. Resultados: Se recuperaron 228 referencias, de las cuales 42 artículos cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión que informan un total de 74 pacientes con embarazo ectópico abdominal. En cuanto al manejo de la placenta, la remoción de la misma se informó en 42 casos (58%). La mortalidad materna se presentó en 4 casos (4,1%), todos por hemorragia posparto. Un total de 60 pacientes (81%) presentaron complicaciones, la más frecuente fue hemorragia en 38 de ellas (51%). En cuanto al resultado perinatal, se encontró una mortalidad perinatal del 43%. Conclusión: El manejo de la placenta es el punto clave del que podría depender la frecuencia de complicaciones maternas. Se requieren estudios prospectivos que evalúen el manejo más seguro y efectivo de esta condición.

ABSTRACT Objective: Report two cases of advanced ectopic abdominal pregnancy with good maternal/perinatal outcomes, and to review the literature available regarding the management of the placenta and the prognosis for this condition. Materials and methods: Description of two cases of advanced ectopic abdominal pregnancies with viable fetuses and favourable perinatal outcomes, in which the placenta was removed. The cases were seen at a Level IV institution in the city of Cali, Colombia. Review of the literature registered in the Medline data base via Pubmed using the search terms "abdominal pregnancy", "splenic pregnancy", "hepatic pregnancy", "omental pregnancy" and "peritoneal pregnancy". The search was limited to articles published in English and Spanish during the past 12 years. Results: Overall, 228 references were retrieved, of which 42 articles reporting on a total of 74 patients with ectopic abdominal pregnancy met the inclusion criteria. Regarding the management of the placenta, it was removed in 42 cases (58%). There were 4 cases of maternal mortality (4,1%) all of them due to postpartum bleeding. Complications occurred in 60 patients (81%), bleeding being the most frequent in 38 of them (51%). As for perinatal outcome, perinatal mortality was 43.8%. Conclusion: Placental management is the the key determinant factor of the frequency of maternal complications. Prospective studies to assess the safest and most effective management of this condition are required.

Valvuloplastia percutánea con balón de válvula mitral durante la gestación. Reporte de dos casos en un hospital de cuarto nivel de atención en Cali, Colombia y revisión de la literatura / Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty during pregnancy. Report of two cases in a level IV hospital in Cali, Colombia, and review of the literature

Objetivo: Describir la experiencia de dos casos de gestantes con estenosis mitral valvular, llevadas a valvuloplastia percutánea con balón y dilatación como alternativa terapéutica para contrarrestar los riesgos de colapso y deterioro materno-fetal y permitir la progresión del embarazo sin complicaciones cardiovasculares o el deterioro funcional, y realizar una revisión de la literatura publicada sobre la realización del procedimiento en gestantes. Materiales y métodos: Se presentan dos casos de estenosis mitral severa y compromiso funcional asociado, de aparición en el segundo trimestre del embarazo, atendidos en una institución de cuarto nivel de complejidad, centro de referencia regional. Se manejaron por medio de valvuloplastia mitral con balón, con desenlaces clínicos maternos perinatales favorables. La revisión de la literatura se hizo a partir de los términos: "valvuloplastia", "estenosis mitral" y "embarazo". Se realizó una búsqueda en la base de datos Medline vía PubMed, Medes y Scopus. Se excluyeron los procedimientos descritos que estaban dirigidos al reparo valvular del feto. Los estudios se centraron en los cambios en las mediciones de la válvula, los resultados obstétricos y la seguridad. Resultados: Se identificaron doce títulos. Los resultados obtenidos son comparables a los reportes de casos de estenosis de válvula mitral con procedimiento asistido por balón para dilatación de la válvula. En general, el procedimiento es exitoso, incrementa el área de la válvula mitral y reduce el gradiente de presión en la válvula. No obstante, existe el riesgo de desarrollar insuficiencia de válvula mitral tras la conducta, trombosis y muerte. Conclusión: La valvuloplastia percutánea con balón y dilatación como alternativa terapéutica es una opción por considerar en el manejo de la estenosis mitral en la gestante con deterioro de la clase funcional y el aumento durante el seguimiento de la presión en cuña pulmonar. Se requieren estudios controlados que validen los resultados de los estudios observacionales.

Objective: To describe the experience of two cases of pregnant women with mitral stenosis taken to percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty and dilatation as a therapeutic option to counteract the risk of collapse and maternal and foetal deterioration, and to allow progression of the gestation without cardiovascular complications or functional impairment; and to conduct a review of the published literature regarding this procedure in pregnant women. Materials and methods: Two cases of severe mitral stenosis and associated functional involvement of early onset during the second trimester of pregnancy, seen in a level IV regional referral centre. The two cases were managed with balloon mitral valvuloplasty, with favourable perinatal maternal outcomes. The review of the literature was done using the terms Valvulopasty, Mitral Stenosis and Pregnancy. A search was conducted in Medline via Pubmed and in the MEDES and SCOPUS databases. Procedures described for the performance of foetal valve repair were excluded. Studies were focused on the diagnostic findings and the course of the surgical procedure. Results: Overall, 12 titles were identified. The results obtained are comparable with the case reports found in the literature on mitral valve stenosis using balloon-assisted procedures for valve dilatation. In general terms, the procedure is successful, increasing the area of the mitral valve and reducing the pressure gradient across the valve. However, there is a risk of mitral regurgitation, thrombosis and death following the procedure. Conclusion: Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty with balloon dilatation is a therapeutic option that may be considered for the management of mitral stenosis in pregnant women with functional class deterioration and increasing pulmonary wedge pressure during follow-up. Controlled studies are required in order to validate the results of observational studies.

Consenso colombiano para la definición de los criterios de ingreso a unidades de cuidados intensivos en la paciente embarazada críticamente enferma / Colombian consensus for definition of admission criteria to intensive care units in critically ill pregnant patient

Cada una de las decisiones alrededor de pacientes obstétricas críticas requiere un equipo multidisciplinario de especialistas en cuidado crítico de adultos y en medicina materno-fetal para el difícil entendimiento y manejo de la historia natural de las enfermedades y sus complicaciones durante la gestación, el parto y el puerperio. No existen guías detalladas en Colombia que describan los planes de acción frente a una paciente embarazada en condiciones críticas; de ahí la importancia de un consenso que permita establecer el nivel de cuidado crítico requerido por este grupo poblacional especial, estandarizar las condiciones de atención de las gestantes críticas y generar planteamientos académicos y éticos frente a esta estrategia de alto impacto para la reducción de la mortalidad materna.

Each of the decisions about critical obstetric patients requires a multidisciplinary team of specialists in adult critical care and maternal-fetal medicine, for the difficult understanding and management of the natural history of the disease and its complications during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. There are not detailed guidelines in Colombia that describe the action plans in front of a pregnant or recently pregnant patient in a critical condition. For this reason, it is important to establish a consensus aiming to determine the level of critical care required for this particular population group, standardize care conditions of pregnant women and generate critical academic and ethical approaches to address this high impact strategy for reducing maternal mortality.