Obstetric and Anaesthesia Checklists for the Management of Morbidly Adherent Placenta.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an integrated checklist for the management of patients with suspected morbidly adherent placenta (MAP). METHODS: A checklist process was developed incrementally by clinicians in the disciplines of maternal-fetal medicine, gynaecology, medical imaging, and anaesthesia for management of women with suspected MAP. RESULTS: Over a five-year period of debriefing after individual cases, a comprehensive checklist system was developed. The checklist is activated upon referral if MAP is suspected at an initial maternal-fetal medicine consultation; the process is subsequently guided by a clinical nurse specialist, leading to a standardized program of care. CONCLUSIONS: Having a checklist process facilitates standardized care and optimal communication between specialists, providing team-based care for women with this potentially serious complication of pregnancy.

Multidisciplinary management of invasive placenta previa.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary team approach to reduce severe maternal morbidity in women with invasive placenta previa. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 33 women with placenta previa and increta-percreta (diagnosed by ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging) delivering at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, following the introduction in January 2008 of a team-based approach to women with this condition. We included women who delivered by June 2012. We reviewed antenatal outpatient and inpatient records for use of six pre-defined team components by the attending staff obstetrician: (1) antenatal maternal-fetal medicine consultation, (2) surgical gynaecology consultation, (3) antenatal MRI, (4) interventional radiology consultation and preoperative placement of balloon catheters in the anterior divisions of the internal iliac arteries, (5) pre-planned surgical date, and (6) surgery performed by members of the invasive placenta surgical team. Antenatal course, delivery, and postpartum details were recorded to derive a five-point composite severe maternal morbidity score based on the presence or absence of: (1) ICU admission following delivery, (2) transfusion > 2 units of blood, (3) general anaesthesia start or conversion, (4) operating time in highest quartile (> 125 minutes), and (5) significant postoperative complications (readmission, prolonged postpartum stay, and/or pulmonary embolism). RESULTS: All 33 women survived during this time period. Two thirds (22/33) had either five or six of the six components of multidisciplinary care. Increasing use of multidisciplinary team components was associated with a significant reduction in composite morbidity (R2 = 0.228, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Team-based assessment and management of women with invasive placenta previa is likely to improve maternal outcomes and should be encouraged on a regional basis.

Objectif : Évaluer l'efficacité d'une approche d'équipe multidisciplinaire visant l'atténuation de la morbidité maternelle grave chez les femmes qui présentent un placenta prævia invasif. Méthodes : Nous avons mené une étude prospective auprès de 33 femmes qui présentaient un placenta prævia et increta-percreta (diagnostiqué par échographie et/ou imagerie par résonance magnétique) et qui accouchaient au Mount Sinai Hospital de Toronto, à la suite du lancement (en janvier 2008) d'une approche d'équipe visant les femmes qui présentaient une telle placentation. Nous avons inclus les accouchements chez les femmes visées jusqu'en juin 2012. Nous avons analysé les dossiers prénataux (services externes et services hospitaliers) en vue d'y repérer l'utilisation par l'obstétricien titulaire de six composantes d'équipe prédéfinies : (1) consultation prénatale en médecine fœto-maternelle; (2) consultation en chirurgie gynécologique; (3) IRM prénatale; (4) consultation en radiologie interventionnelle et mise en place préopératoire de sondes à ballonnet dans les divisions antérieures des artères iliaques internes; (5) planification à l'avance de la date de chirurgie; et (6) chirurgie menée par des membres de l'équipe chirurgicale vouée aux cas de placenta invasif. Les détails de l'évolution prénatale, de l'accouchement et de la période postpartum ont été consignés afin d'établir un score composite de morbidité maternelle grave en cinq points fondé sur la présence ou l'absence de ce qui suit : (1) admission à l'USI à la suite de l'accouchement; (2) transfusion de plus de deux unités de sang; (3) anesthésie générale (administration ou conversion); (4) temps opératoire se situant dans le quartile le plus élevé (> 125 minutes); et (5) complications postopératoires significatives (réhospitalisation, hospitalisation postpartum prolongée et/ou embolie pulmonaire). Résultats : Les 33 participantes ont survécu au cours de cette période. Les deux tiers (22/33) d'entre elles présentaient cinq ou six des six composantes des soins multidisciplinaires. L'utilisation croissante des composantes des soins multidisciplinaires a été associée à une baisse significative de la morbidité composite (R2 = 0,228, P = 0,005). Conclusion : L'évaluation et la prise en charge en équipe des femmes qui présentent un placenta prævia invasif sont susceptibles d'améliorer les issues maternelles et devraient être favorisées sur une base régionale.

Web-based education for placental complications of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether a web-based education strategy could improve maternal knowledge of placental complications of pregnancy and reduce maternal anxiety in high risk-pregnancies. METHODS: Prospective study in the Placenta Clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario. Maternal demographics and Internet usage were recorded at the patient's baseline appointment. Placental knowledge was determined using structured verbal and illustrative assessments. The six-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was administered to assess baseline maternal anxiety. Women were asked to visit the Placenta Clinic website for a minimum of 15 minutes before their follow-up appointment, at which time their placental knowledge and STAI assessments were repeated. RESULTS: Eighteen women were included in the study. Patient knowledge at the baseline appointment was generally poor (median score 10.5 out of a maximum score of 27, range 1 to 22), with major deficits in basic placental knowledge, placenta previa/increta, and preeclampsia. At the follow-up appointment, placental knowledge was significantly improved (median score 23, range 10 to 27; P < 0.001). Educational status (high school or less vs. college or more) had no effect on either baseline knowledge or knowledge improvement. Maternal anxiety at baseline (median score 12 out of a maximum score of 24, range 6 to 23) was significantly reduced at the follow-up appointment (median score 8.5, range 6 to 20; P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Deficits in maternal knowledge of placental complications of pregnancy in high-risk pregnant women were substantial but easily rectified with a disease-targeted web-based educational resource. This intervention significantly improved patient knowledge and significantly reduced maternal anxiety.

Objectif : Cette étude avait pour objectif de déterminer si une stratégie pédagogique sur le Web pouvait améliorer les connaissances maternelles en matière de complications placentaires de la grossesse et atténuer l'anxiété maternelle dans le cadre des grossesses exposées à des risques élevés. Méthodes : Tenue d'une étude prospective au sein de la Placenta Clinic du Mount Sinai Hospital à Toronto, en Ontario. Les habitudes d'utilisation d'Internet et les caractéristiques démographiques maternelles ont été consignées au cours de la consultation de départ avec la patiente. Les connaissances quant au placenta ont été déterminées au moyen d'évaluations illustrées et verbales structurées. Le six-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) a été administré pour évaluer l'anxiété maternelle de départ. Nous avons demandé aux femmes de consulter le site Web de la Placenta Clinic pendant un minimum de 15 minutes avant leur consultation de suivi; au cours de celle-ci, leurs connaissances quant au placenta ont été évaluées à nouveau et les évaluations STAI ont été menées une fois de plus. Résultats : Dix-huit femmes ont participé à l'étude. Au moment de la consultation de départ, les connaissances des patientes étaient généralement faibles (score médian de 10,5 sur un score maximal de 27, plage de 1 à 22), des déficits majeurs ayant été constatés en matière de connaissances de base quant au placenta, au placenta prævia/increta et à la prééclampsie. Au moment de la consultation de suivi, les connaissances quant au placenta présentaient une amélioration considérablement accrue (score médian de 23, plage de 10 à 27; P < 0,001). Le niveau de scolarité (études secondaires ou moins vs études postsecondaires ou plus) n'a exercé aucun effet sur l'état des connaissances au départ ni sur l'amélioration des connaissances. L'anxiété maternelle au départ (score médian de 12 sur un score maximal de 24, plage de 6 à 23) avait connu une baisse considérable au moment de la consultation de suivi (score médian de 8,5, plage de 6 à 20; P = 0,005). Conclusion : Les déficits en matière de connaissances maternelles quant aux complications placentaires de la grossesse chez les femmes enceintes exposées à des risques élevés étaient substantiels, mais facilement corrigeables au moyen d'une ressource pédagogique sur le Web axée sur la maladie. Cette intervention a mené à une amélioration significative des connaissances des patientes et à une baisse considérable de l'anxiété maternelle.

Maternal atrial arrhythmia detected by uterine artery Doppler.

BACKGROUND: Uterine artery Doppler ultrasound assessment is used to assess uteroplacental blood flow and the risk of placental ischemic-thrombotic injury in high-risk pregnancies. We report here a case in which this examination identified the presence of a maternal atrial arrhythmia. CASE: A 50-year-old woman with no significant past medical history received antenatal care in our fetal medicine unit clinic because of advanced maternal age, a history of recurrent pregnancy loss, multiple uterine fibroids, and a history of in vitro fertilization using donated oocytes. Uterine artery Doppler ultrasound was normal at 19 weeks, but was repeated at 33 weeks because of abnormal placental texture and maternal risks, revealing an irregular maternal heart rhythm. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was confirmed by Holter monitor at 34 weeks. The patient was asymptomatic and declined the cardiologist's recommendation of antepartum and postpartum anticoagulation. She remained asymptomatic and had delivery by Caesarean section at term. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery Doppler flow studies may identify a significant maternal cardiac arrhythmia.

The biological effects of lung-derived mediators on the liver.

Despite the use of lung-protective mechanical ventilation (MV), the mortality of patients with acute lung injury remains at 30 to 40%, predominantly due to multiorgan failure. The objective of this study was to determine the biological significance of lung-derived mediators on peripheral organ inflammation. The authors utilized an isolated perfused mouse lung model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammation and protective MV to collect lung-derived mediators. Aliquots of perfusate from these animals (or appropriate controls) were then injected intravenously into a cohort of normal animals whose livers were subsequently assessed in vivo using intravital video microscopy. Perfusate from LPS-inflamed lungs contained significantly higher concentrations of inflammatory mediators than perfusate from saline-instilled lungs. Assessment of livers in the second cohort of animals 120 minutes after perfusate injection revealed decreased sinusoidal blood flow, leukocytosis, and increased cell death in those receiving perfusate from LPS-inflamed lungs compared to perfusate from saline controls. There were no differences between control animals that received pure perfusate or pure LPS mixed with perfusate. These results showed that lung-derived mediators had a significant biological effect on nonpulmonary organs within a short period of time after administration. Therapies targeting these mediators may prevent multiorgan failure and death in patients with acute lung injury.

Utility of head/abdomen circumference ratio in the evaluation of severe early-onset intrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the predominant phenotype of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is symmetric or asymmetric in severe, early-onset disease due to placental insufficiency. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of high-risk pregnant women with severe, early-onset IUGR who were delivering at < 33+0 weeks' gestation at Mount Sinai Hospital from 2001 to 2010. Ultrasound images were reviewed for fetal biometry, amniotic fluid volume, and uterine and umbilical Doppler flow studies within seven days of delivery, and the frequency of head circumference/abdominal circumference ratio ≥ 95th percentile for gestation was determined. RESULTS: Sixty-two of 107 pregnancies (58%) with early-onset IUGR had an elevated HC/AC ratio (≥ 95th percentile), which was more than 10-fold greater than the expected proportion (P < 0.001). High rates of severe preeclampsia (53%), abnormal amniotic fluid (70%), and abnormal uterine artery Doppler studies (78%) indicated placental insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Fetuses with severe placental IUGR in the second trimester are more likely to have an asymmetric phenotype. This is in contrast to the current belief that asymmetric IUGR is confined to third trimester IUGR.

The effect of tidal volume on systemic inflammation in Acid-induced lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Overwhelming systemic inflammation has been implicated in the progression of acute lung injury (ALI) leading to multiple organ failure (MOF) and death. Previous studies suggest that mechanical ventilation (MV) may be a key mediator of MOF through an upregulation of the systemic inflammatory response. OBJECTIVES: It was the aim of this study to investigate mechanisms whereby mechanical stress induced by different tidal volumes may contribute to the development of systemic inflammation and maladaptive peripheral organ responses in the setting of ALI. METHODS: An acid aspiration model of ALI was employed in 129X1/SVJ mice through an intratracheal administration of hydrochloric acid followed by MV employing either a low (5 ml/kg) or high (12.5 ml/kg) tidal volume ventilation for 120 min. The isolated perfused mouse lung setup was used to assess the specific contribution of the lung to systemic inflammation during MV. Furthermore, lung perfusate collected over the course of MV was used to assess the effects of lung-derived mediators on activation (expression of a proadhesive phenotype) of liver endothelial cells. RESULTS: High tidal volume MV of acid-injured lungs resulted in greater physiologic and histological indices of lung injury compared to control groups. Additionally, there was an immediate and significant release of multiple inflammatory mediators from the lung into the systemic circulation which resulted in greater levels of mRNA adhesion molecule expression in liver endothelial cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that MV, specifically tidal volume strategy, influences the development of MOF through an upregulation of lung-derived systemic inflammation resulting in maladaptive cellular changes in peripheral organs.

Sonographic maturation of the placenta at 30 to 34 weeks is not associated with second trimester markers of placental insufficiency in low-risk pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: Advanced placental maturation (Grannum [G] grade 3) before term is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes associated with placental insufficiency. The nature and timing of the underlying pathology of this process is presently unclear. We hypothesized that advanced placental maturation at 30 to 34 weeks' gestation is not associated with established second trimester markers of severe placental dysfunction. METHODS: In a cohort study of 1238 low-risk Caucasian women with singleton pregnancies who had sonographic assessment of placental maturation and fetal growth at 34 weeks, the results of maternal serum screening (MSS) and uterine artery Doppler (UtAD) flow studies at 16 weeks were related to adverse perinatal outcomes associated with placental insufficiency: antepartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, preterm birth < 37 weeks, small for gestational age (< 10th percentile), or postnatal evidence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR; ponderal index < 5th percentile). RESULTS: G1 was found in 127 women (10.3%), G2 was found in 18 women (1.5%), and no cases of G3 were observed. Advanced Grannum grading was significantly associated with IUGR (48 [4.4%] in G0, 9 [7.1%] in G1, 5 [27.8%] in G2; P < 0.001), but was dependent on smoking status. IUGR was not predicted by abnormal MSS or abnormal UtAD findings at either the second or third trimester ultrasounds. CONCLUSION: G2 maturation at 30 to 34 weeks' gestation is associated with mild IUGR at delivery in low-risk women and with smoking. IUGR was not predicted by either second or third trimester markers of severe placental dysfunction. Future studies directly observing the placenta in the late third trimester may aid the elusive diagnosis of "late-onset" mild IUGR.

Elevated endogenous surfactant reduces inflammation in an acute lung injury model.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is associated with severe pulmonary inflammation and alterations to surfactant, and often results in overwhelming systemic inflammation, leading to multiple organ failure. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increased endogenous surfactant pools on pulmonary and systemic inflammation in a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Mice received an instillation of liposome-encapsulated (i) dichloromethylene diphosphonic acid (DMDP) to increase surfactant pools via depletion of alveolar macrophages, or (ii) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Seven days after instillation, mice received an intranasal administration of LPS or saline. Following a 4-hour recovery period, mice were sacrificed and their lungs were isolated, mechanically ventilated, and perfused with 8 mL of recirculated perfusate through the pulmonary circulation for 2 hours. Perfusate and lavage fluid were collected for analysis of inflammatory mediators. Lavage analysis revealed a 5-fold increase in surfactant pools in DMDP-treated mice compared to PBS-treated controls. Lavage and perfusate analyses showed significant decreases in the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, and IL-1beta cytokines in DMDP-LPS mice compared to PBS-LPS controls. Elevated endogenous surfactant pools are protective against both LPS- and mechanical ventilation-induced inflammation, in addition to inflammation associated with the combination of these two insults.