Criteria for placenta accreta spectrum in the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics classification, and topographic invasion area are associated with massive hemorrhage in patients with placenta previa.

INTRODUCTION: Placenta previa with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a life-threatening disease that results in massive hemorrhage. The clinical and histologic criteria of PAS were adopted according to the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification. We aimed to investigate whether FIGO criteria and topography were associated with maternal complications in patients with placenta previa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with placenta previa who underwent cesarean section at our institution between January 2003 and December 2019 were identified. First, they were divided based on FIGO classification, as follows: Group A, with clinical criteria; Group B, with histologic criteria; and Group C: without clinical or histologic criteria. Next, cases with PAS were classified according to the topographic invasion area, as follows: type 1, upper posterior bladder; type 2, lower posterior bladder; type 3, parametrium; type 4, posterior lower uterine segment. Predictive factors for massive hemorrhage were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 350 patients, 24 (6.9%) were classified as Group A, 16 (4.6%) as Group B and 310 (88.5%) as Group C. Regarding maternal history and hemostatic procedures, there were no significant factors other than hysterectomy (p < .01) in Groups A and B. The volume of blood loss in both Groups A and B was greater than in Group C (p < .01). The rates of uterine artery embolization and blood transfusion were higher in Groups A and B than in Group C (p < .01). In addition, there were no significant factors other than hysterectomy between Groups A and B. In the multivariate analysis for massive hemorrhage, Group A (odds ratio: 2.73, p = .04) and Group B (odds ratio: 12.69, p < .01) were identified as independent predictive factors. In addition, massive hemorrhage was closely related to the lower posterior bladder and parametrial invasion in both Groups A and B. CONCLUSIONS: Both clinical and histologic criteria for PAS in the FIGO classification were associated with massive hemorrhage. Diagnosing clinical PAS using the FIGO classification, additional hemostatic procedures might be necessary according to the topographic invasion area.

Systematic review of uterine artery embolisation practice guidelines: are all the guidelines on the same page?

AIM: To evaluate the degree of concordance amongst the currently available guidelines informing the use of uterine artery embolisation (UAE), and identify any inconsistencies present. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standards of practice and quality improvement guidelines were retrieved through a search of PubMed and EMBASE. Additional sets of guidelines were retrieved directly from the websites of known obstetrics and gynaecology and radiological associations. RESULTS: Eleven guidelines were retrieved from organisations located in Europe, North America, and Australia. Two main points of divergence were identified in the presented guidance: firstly, on whether submucosal, subserosal, and/or pedunculate fibroids should be considered a relative contraindication to UAE; secondly, on whether UAE should be recommended as an option in patients desiring future fertility. CONCLUSIONS: The guidelines reviewed generally suggest UAE to be a safe and effective option for fibroid treatment that can be offered as an alternative to surgical management; however, the number of differing interpretations arising from an apparently similar pool of evidence raises questions about the objectivity of practice guidelines. Although practice guidelines are understood to be a synthesis of clinical evidence and expert opinion, a systematic approach to presenting evidence is necessary to clearly distinguish empirically versus experientially informed guidance.

A clinical audit on the efficacy and safety of uterine artery embolisation for symptomatic adenomyosis: Results in 117 women.

BACKGROUND: Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) is a possible uterine-sparing treatment option for women with unsuccessful conservative management for adenomyosis-related heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and dysmenorrhoea. AIM: To conduct a clinical audit on the efficacy and safety of UAE for symptomatic adenomyosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 309 women who underwent UAE identified 117 women with magnetic resonance imaging features of adenomyosis (junctional zone thickness ≥ 12 mm). Overall success and HMB control were rated by women. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, Uterine Fibroid Symptom and health-related Quality of Life (UFS-QoL) symptoms score and quality of life score were also used to measure outcome. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen women (98%) were available for outcome evaluation. The mean follow-up was 22.5 months. Overall clinical success was achieved in 102/115 (89%) women; HMB control was achieved in 91/104 (88%); dysmenorrhea relief was achieved in 94/104 (90%), with VAS reduction of 6.13 (P < 0.001), Mean symptoms score was reduced from 58 to 17 at 12 months (P < 0.001) and QoL score increased from 42 to 88 at 12 months (P < 0.001). Hysterectomy was performed on six (5%) women. There were three (3%) mild groin haematomatas and three (3%) mild subacute complications (one possible endometritis, two urinary tract infections; all responded to oral antibiotics). Two women had unintended pregnancies which were complicated. CONCLUSIONS: In this clinical audit UAE was found to be an effective uterine-sparing option for women who had unsuccessful conservative treatments for adenomyosis-related HMB and dysmenorrhoea. There were no major complications. Two women had unintended pregnancies that were complicated.

Standardized Reporting in IR: A Prospective Multi-Institutional Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To assess adoption and survey-based satisfaction rates following deployment of standardized interventional radiology (IR) procedure reports across multiple institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standardized reporting templates for 5 common interventional procedures (central venous access, inferior vena cava [IVC] filter insertion, IVC filter removal, uterine artery embolization, and vertebral augmentation) were distributed to 20 IR practices in a prospective quality-improvement study. Participating sites edited the reports according to institutional preferences and deployed them for a 1-year pilot study concluding in July 2015. Study compliance was measured by sampling 20 reports of each procedure type at each institution, and surveys of interventionalists and referring physicians were performed. Modifications to the standardized reporting templates at each site were analyzed. RESULTS: Ten institutions deployed the standardized reports, with 8 achieving deployment of 3-12 months. The mean report usage rate was 57%. Each site modified the original reports, with 26% mean reduction in length, 18% mean reduction in wordiness, and 60% mean reduction in the number of forced fill-in fields requiring user input. Linear-regression analysis revealed that reduced number of forced fill-in fields correlated significantly with increased usage rate (R2 = 0.444; P = .05). Surveys revealed high satisfaction rates among referring physicians but lower satisfaction rates among interventional radiologists. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized report adoption rates increased when reports were simplified by reducing the number of forced fill-in fields. Referring physicians preferred the standardized reports, whereas interventional radiologists preferred standard narrative reports.

Screening de primer trimestre de preeclampsia tardía en gestantes de bajo riesgo en un centro de bajo volumen obstétrico: validación externa de un modelo predictivo / First trimester screening of late-onset preeclampsia in a low risk and low volume obstetrical setting: external validation of a predictive model

Fundamento: La validación externa de un modelo predictivo de predicción de preeclampsia tardía en un centro de bajo volumen obstétrico en gestantes de bajo riesgo obstétrico. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo de 174 gestaciones únicas de 11+0 a 13+6 semanas de gestación en la Clínica Universidad de Navarra desde septiembre 2011 a marzo de 2013, que fue considerado como una cohorte de validación de un modelo descrito anteriormente para preeclampsia tardía en el hospital Clínic de Barcelona). Resultados: Un total de 7 (4%) mujeres desarrollaron PE tardía. En la cohorte de validación el área bajo la curva del modelo fue de 0,69 (IC del 95% 0,45 a 0,93). Las tasas de detección para un 5, 10 y 15% de tasas de falsos positivos fueron 21,9, 31,4 y 38,6%. Al comparar las áreas bajo la curva de la cohorte de validación con la cohorte de la construcción, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p = 0,68). Conclusión: La combinación de la historia clínica materna, la proteína placentaria A-asociada al embarazo y presión arterial media es moderadamente útil para predecir preeclampsia tardía en gestantes de bajo riesgo y en un centro de bajo volumen obstétrico. El modelo predictivo del hospital Clinic de Barcelona es una herramienta válida para predecir preeclampsia tardía en este entorno (AU)

Background: The external validation of predictive model of late preeclampsia in a low volume and low risk obstetrical setting. Methods: A cohort was created of 174 singleton pregnancies of 11+0-13+6 gestational weeks at Clinica Universidad Navarra from September 2011 to March 2013, which was considered as a validation cohort of a previously described model for late PE (Hospital Clinic, Barcelona). Results: A total of 7 (4%) women developed late PE. In the validation cohort the area under the curve of the model was 0.69 (95% CI 0.45-0.93). Detection rates for a 5, 10 and 15% of false positive rates were 21.9, 31.4% and 38.6% respectively. When comparing the areas under the curve of the validation cohort with the construction cohort, no statistical differences were found (p=0.68). Conclusion: The combination of maternal history, pregnancy associated plasma protein-A and mean arterial pressure is moderately useful to predict preeclampsia in a low risk and low volume obstetrical setting. The predictive model of the Clinic Hospital of Barcelona is a valid tool in predicting late preeclampsia in this setting (AU)

Retrospective study of the impact of fellowship training on two quality and safety measures in uterine artery embolization.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To measure the impact of 1-year interventional fellowship training on fluoroscopic time and contrast media utilization in uterine artery embolization (UAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective single institution analysis of 323 consecutive UAEs performed by 12 interventional fellows using a standardized protocol. Fluoroscopy time and contrast media volume were recorded for each patient and correlated with stage of fellowship training. Preprocedure uterine volume (using MRI or ultrasound) was used as a measure of procedural complexity. Regression analysis was conducted per trainee factoring in duration of training, procedure number, supervising radiologist, uterine volume, and outcome variables of fluoroscopy time and contrast media volume. RESULTS: Median number of patients treated per trainee was 27 (range, 16-43) with mean fluoroscopic time 24.5 minutes (range, 4-90 min) and mean contrast volume 190 mL (range, 50-320 mL). Increasing uterine volume had no significant effect (P > .05) on fluoroscopic time but significantly increased (P < .001) contrast media volume. Significant training effect was identified with decrease in fluoroscopic time (P < .001) and decrease in contrast volume (P = .02) over training. Over the course of a 1-year fellowship, these summed to a decrease of 12 minutes in UAE fluoroscopy time and 17 mL less contrast. CONCLUSION: A significant (P < .05) training effect that is clinically relevant was demonstrated over the course of a yearlong interventional radiology fellowship program in performance of a standardized protocol for UAE. This data supports fellowship training as a basis for UAE credentialing and privileging.

Uterine artery embolization: a vascular surgery procedure? One vascular surgery group's experience.

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) has been performed by interventional radiology since the 1990s for symptomatic uterine fibroids with considerable success. Endovascular-trained vascular surgeons possess the necessary skills to successfully perform this procedure after an adequate but brief training period. Fourteen successful UAE procedures were performed by two vascular surgeons over a one-year period. Indications for the procedures were bleeding (12/14 patients, 86%), pain/bloating/pressure (13/14 patients, 93%) and dyspareunia (2/14 patients, 14%). All patients were initially evaluated by a gynecologist and referred for this procedure. Complications were minor and limited. Clinical follow-up demonstrated near-complete to complete symptom resolution in all but one patient for a 93% short-term success rate. Follow-up ultrasound studies demonstrated a reduction in the uterine fibroid size in all patients three months or more postprocedure. The mean fibroid size reduction was 4.07-3.26 cm (20%), P < 0.005. UAE is a procedure of proven benefit, well-matched to many vascular surgeons' skills and practice. Up to this point, few vascular surgeons have incorporated this endovascular procedure into their practices. This initial and somewhat limited study demonstrates one vascular surgery group's early success with this procedure.