Spina Bifida Global Learning Collaborative: Educating the next generation of clinicians, researchers, and advocates.

PURPOSE: This project aimed to launch an international learning community to guide the development of a spina bifida (SB) curriculum for global health trainees. METHODS: Using a descriptive study design, a convenience sample of SB curricula were identified in 2022-23 by members of the Spina Bifida World Congress Outreach Committee and evaluated during a series of monthly Zoom calls to discuss SB education in a global health context. Participants included (1) leadership from the ReachAnother Foundation, (2) invited panelists from the Spina Bifida World Congress Global Health Symposium, and (3) global health students and preceptors. Education initiatives in Ethiopia, Sweden, Argentina, Ecuador, and the United States were evaluated vis-à-vis format and content. RESULTS: All of the education initiatives referenced the framework of the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Formats varied and included both virtual and interactive workshops, print materials, videos, and guides for small group discussion. Content addressed four domains: Folate Prevention, Neurosurgical Training, After Care, and Data Collection. A multidisciplinary approach, partnerships with families, and workforce pipeline training were identified as guiding themes for educating the next generation of SB researchers and clinicians in global health settings. CONCLUSION: The Spina Bifida Global Learning Collaborative is a transnational group of advocates, clinicians, and investigators whose mission is the advancement of SB-related global health education. Lessons learned from the collaborative are being leveraged to develop a global health curriculum for learners, which may improve services for individuals with SB around the globe.

Myocardial infarction in the 31st week of pregnancy--case report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during pregnancy is rare. The authors describe the case of MI in a 31-week pregnant woman and the importance of a multidisciplinary team for its approach. CASE REPORT: Thirty-one week pregnant woman with history of smoking, alcoholism and hypertension was admitted after an episode of syncope. On admission she was conscious and asymptomatic, although hypotensive. The electrocardiogram showed marked ST-segment elevation in D1, aVL, V1-V6. The cardiac enzymes were positive. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed reduction in septal and left ventricular contractility and an ejection fraction of 30%. Angiography revealed proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. After a non-successful balloon angioplasty, a metallic stent was placed. The patient started therapy with beta-blockers, aspirin and clopidogrel. As for the delivery, we chose to perform a cesarean section four weeks after MI. Clopidogrel was suspended seven days before delivery. The preoperative cardiac function was improved by infusion of levosimendan started the day before. Cesarean section occurred under epidural block. The intraoperative period showed no complications, except for mild hypotension easily corrected with phenylephrine. The Apgar score for the newborn was 9/10. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the few cases of myocardial infarction and angioplasty reported during pregnancy. The authors discuss the decisions taken by the multidisciplinary team consisting of anesthesiologists, obstetricians, neonatologists and cardiologists, particularly with regard to dual antiplatelet therapy, the type of delivery and anesthesia.

Infarto agudo do miocárdio na 31ª semana de gravidez: relato de caso / Myocardial infarction in the 31st week of pregnancy: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A ocorrência de infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) durante a gravidez é rara. Os autores descrevem o caso de IAM numa grávida de 31 semanas e a importância da existência de uma equipe multidisciplinar para sua abordagem. RELATO DO CASO: Grávida de 31 semanas, com antecedentes de tabagismo, alcoolismo e hipertensão, internada após um episódio de síncope. Na admissão, encontrava-se consciente e assintomática, embora hipotensa. O eletrocardiograma evidenciou marcada elevação do segmento ST em DI, AVL, V1-V6. Pesquisa de enzimas cardíacas foi positiva. O ecocardiograma transtorácico demonstrou redução da contratilidade ventricular esquerda e septal e uma fração de ejeção de 30 por cento. A angiografia revelou oclusão proximal da artéria descendente anterior. Por insucesso da angioplastia por balão, foi colocado um stent metálico. A paciente iniciou terapêutica com b-bloqueadores, aspirina e clopidogrel. Em relação ao parto, optou-se por realizar cesariana eletiva, quatro semanas após o IAM. Suspendeu-se o clopidogrel sete dias antes do parto. A função cardíaca pré-operatória foi otimizada com infusão de levosimendana iniciada no dia anterior. A cesariana decorreu sob bloqueio peridural. O período intraoperatório decorreu sem complicações, à exceção de moderada hipotensão facilmente corrigida com fenilefrina. O índice de Apgar do recém-nascido foi de 9/10. CONCLUSÕES: Este é um dos poucos casos de infarto agudo do miocárdio e angioplastia descritos durante a gravidez. Os autores discutem as decisões tomadas pela equipe multidisciplinar, constituída por anestesiologistas, obstetras, cardiologistas e neonatologistas, notadamente no que se refere à dupla antiagregação plaquetária, ao tipo de parto e à anestesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during pregnancy is rare. The authors describe the case of MI in a 31-week pregnant woman and the importance of a multidisciplinary team for its approach. CASE REPORT: Thirty-one week pregnant woman with history of smoking, alcoholism and hypertension was admitted after an episode of syncope. On admission she was conscious and asymptomatic, although hypotensive. The electrocardiogram showed marked ST-segment elevation in D1, aVL, V1-V6. The cardiac enzymes were positive. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed reduction in septal and left ventricular contractility and an ejection fraction of 30 percent. Angiography revealed proximal occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. After a non-successful balloon angioplasty, a metallic stent was placed. The patient started therapy with beta-blockers, aspirin and clopidogrel. As for the delivery, we chose to perform a cesarean section four weeks after MI. Clopidogrel was suspended seven days before delivery. The preoperative cardiac function was improved by infusion of levosimendan started the day before. Cesarean section occurred under epidural block. The intraoperative period showed no complications, except for mild hypotension easily corrected with phenylephrine. The Apgar score for the newborn was 9 / 10. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the few cases of myocardial infarction and angioplasty reported during pregnancy. The authors discuss the decisions taken by the multidisciplinary team consisting of anesthesiologists, obstetricians, neonatologists and cardiologists, particularly with regard to dual antiplatelet therapy, the type of delivery and anesthesia.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: El aparecimiento del infarto agudo del miocardio (IAM), durante el embarazo es raro. Los autores describen el caso de IAM en una mujer embarazada de 31 semanas y la importancia de la existencia de un equipo multidisciplinario para su abordaje. RELATO DEL CASO: Embarazada de 31 semanas, con antecedentes de tabaquismo, alcoholismo e hipertensión, que fue ingresada después de presentar un episodio de síncope. A su llegada, estaba consciente y asintomática, aunque hipotensa. El electrocardiograma mostró una fuerte elevación del segmento ST en DI, AVL, V1-V6. La enzimología cardíaca fue positiva. El ecocardiograma transtorácico acusó una reducción en la contratilidad ventricular izquierda y septal, y una fracción de eyección del 30 por ciento. La angiografía reveló la oclusión proximal de la arteria descendiente anterior. Ya que la angioplastia por balón no tuvo éxito, se colocó un stent metálico. La paciente inició terapéutica con b-bloqueantes, aspirina y clopidogrel. Con relación al parto, se optó por realizar la cesárea electiva 4 semanas después del IAM. Se suspendió el clopidogrel siete días antes del parto. La función cardíaca preoperatoria se optimizó con infusión de levosimedan iniciada el día anterior. La cesárea transcurrió bajo el bloqueo epidural. El período intraoperatorio transcurrió sin complicaciones, con excepción de una moderada hipotensión fácilmente corregida con fenilefrina. El índice de Apgar del recién nacido fue de 9/10. CONCLUSIONES: Este es uno de los pocos casos de infarto agudo del miocardio y angioplastia descritos durante el embarazo. Los autores discuten las decisiones tomadas por el equipo multidisciplinario, que estaba constituido por anestesiólogos, obstetras, cardiólogos y neonatólogos, en lo que se refiere a la doble antiagregación plaquetaria, al tipo de parto y a la anestesia.