Placenta prévia: um estudo baseado nas teorias de enfermagem / Placenta previa: a study based on nursing theories / Placenta previa: un estudio basado en las teorías de enfermería

Introdução: A gestação, apesar de ser um processo fisiológico na saúde da mulher, é uma etapa complexa que exige atenção diferenciada na assistência à saúde. Outrossim, existem algumas condições que provocam danos durante essa fase, como a placenta prévia. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como escopo evidenciar o processo de enfermagem frente à assistência à gestante com tal diagnóstico. Metodologia: A pesquisa tem caráter qualitativo, teórico com subsídio na bibliografia científica, envolvendo a compreensão holística e integral da paciente para a implementação de estratégia para o processo de enfermagem. A partir do estudo das teorias e da fisiopatologia e impactos clínicos, empregou-se as taxonomias do NANDA-I para traçar os diagnósticos de enfermagens mais condizentes. Resultados: Foram identificados 15 diagnósticos que contemplaram os dez domínios encontrados no NANDA. Considerações Finais: Os dados eleitos e o confronto com a literatura enfatizam a relevância positiva na prescrição de diagnósticos de enfermagem na escolha dos cuidados prestados e as teorias subsidiam a assistência materno-fetal.

Introduction: Pregnancy, despite being a physiological process in women's health, is a complex stage that requires special attention in health care. Also, there are some conditions that cause damage during this phase, such as placenta previa. Objective: The purpose of this study is to highlight the nursing process regarding care for pregnant women with such a diagnosis. Methodology: The research is qualitative, theoretical with support in the scientific bibliography, involving the patients holistic and integral understanding for the implementation of a strategy for the nursing process. Based on the study of theories and pathophysiology and clinical impacts, the NANDA-I taxonomies were used to outline the most consistent nursing diagnoses. Results: 15 diagnoses were identified that included the ten domains found in NANDA. Final Considerations: The chosen data and the confrontation with the literature emphasize the positive relevance in the prescription of nursing diagnoses in the choice of care provided and the theories subsidize maternal-fetal assistance.

Introducción: El embarazo, a pesar de ser un proceso fisiológico en la salud de la mujer, es una etapa compleja que requiere especial atención en el cuidado de la salud. Además, existen algunas condiciones que causan daños durante esta fase, como la placenta previa. Objetivo: El propósito de este estudio es resaltar el proceso de enfermería en relación con la atención a las gestantes con dicho diagnóstico. Metodología: La investigación es cualitativa, teórica con apoyo en la bibliografía científica, involucrando la comprensión holística e integral de las pacientes para la implementación de una estrategia para el proceso de enfermería. Con base en el estudio de teorías y fisiopatología e impactos clínicos, se utilizaron las taxonomías NANDA-I para delinear los diagnósticos de enfermería más consistentes. Resultados: Se identificaron 15 diagnósticos que incluían los diez dominios encontrados en la NANDA. Consideraciones finales: Los datos escogidos y la confrontación con la literatura enfatizan la relevancia positiva en la prescripción de los diagnósticos de enfermería en la elección de los cuidados prestados y las teorías subsidian la asistencia materno-fetal.

Risk factors associated with unplanned caesarean section in women with placenta previa: a cohort study.

Unplanned/emergency caesarean section (CS) can lead to an increased risk of increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary centre in South India to determine the factors associated with increased risk of unplanned/emergency CS among women with placenta previa (PP). Primary outcome was the unplanned CS defined as emergency CS performed, prior to the scheduled date of delivery, for profuse vaginal bleeding or onset of labour pains. Obstetric morbidity and maternal-foetal outcomes were also compared between major and minor degree of PP. Major degree PP (OR 3.56; 95% CI: 1.73-7.32), first episode of bleeding at less than 29 weeks of gestation (OR 6.25; 95% CI: 2.14-18.24), and the haemoglobin level at admission (OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.57-0.91) were found to be associated with higher odd for undergoing unplanned CS. Identifying these women at high risk of unplanned CS, especially in limited resource setting, helps for a timely and early referral to tertiary centres with expertise to manage complications along with facilities for blood transfusion and interventional radiology can help to optimise maternal and perinatal outcomes.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? With increasing numbers of caesarean sections (CSs) and assisted reproductive techniques, the rate of PP is constantly on the rise. Unplanned CS is associated with increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal complications.What do the results of this study add? Nearly, 40% among those who underwent CS were unplanned. Major degree placenta previa (PP) (OR 3.56; 95% CI: 1.73-7.32), first episode of bleeding at less than 29 weeks of gestation (OR 6.25; 95% CI: 2.14-18.24), and the haemoglobin level at admission (OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.57-0.91) were found to be associated with higher odd for undergoing unplanned CS.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Identifying women with PP at high risk of unplanned CS, especially in limited resource setting, helps for a timely and early referral to tertiary centres with expertise to manage complications, facilities for blood transfusion and interventional radiology, which optimise maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Acretismo placentário e suas complicações / Placental accretism and its complications

Acretismo é um termo genérico que significa uma invasão trofoblástica anormal da placenta em parte ou, mais raramente, na totalidade do miométrio, podendo inclusive chegar à serosa. Esse evento ocorre mais comumente em uma região de cicatriz uterina prévia, onde há um defeito na decidualização. A principal consequência disso é a necessidade frequente de histerectomia puerperal, acarretando grande morbidade materna. Este artigo apresenta o caso de uma gestante com placenta percreta, com acometimento vesical e de colo uterino que necessitou de histerectomia total. Além disso, no pós-operatório, apresentou fístula vesicoabdominal. O objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar as complicações do acretismo placentário e as maneiras de tentar reduzi-lo. O aumento nas proporções de nascimentos via parto cesariana, sem que haja evidências claras de que isso interfira na queda da mortalidade e/ou morbidade materna e neonatal, sugere que estejam sendo indicadas muito mais cesarianas que o necessário. Para redução nas taxas de cesariana e, consequentemente, das complicações dela, como nos casos de acretismo, é necessário repensar a cultura do cuidado da prática clínica em obstetrícia.(AU)

Accretism is a generic term that means an abnormal trophoblastic invasion of the placenta in part or, more rarely, in the entire myometrium, which may even reach the serosa. This event most commonly occurs in a region of previous uterine scar, where there is a decidualization defect. The main consequence of this is the frequent need for puerperal hysterectomy, causing great maternal morbidity. This article presents the case of a pregnant woman with placenta percreta, with bladder and uterine cervix involvement, who required hysterectomy. In addition, postoperatively, presented a vesico-abdominal fistula. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the complications of placental accretism and ways to try it. The increase in the proportion of births via cesarean delivery, without clear evidences that this interferes with the decrease in maternal and neonatal mortality and/or morbidity, suggests that much more cesarean sections are being indicated than necessary. To reduce cesarean rates and consequently, its complications, as in cases of accretism, it is necessary to rethink the culture of care in clinical practice in obstetrics.(AU)

Factors affecting mode of delivery in women of advanced maternal age.

With the implementation of the two-child policy in China, an increased number of women of advanced maternal age (AMA) have been giving birth. Formulating evidence-based guidance for the clinical management of this population is crucial. This retrospective study aimed to explore factors influencing the mode of delivery in women of AMA. Data on 350 women of AMA who delivered at Shanghai Putuo Maternity & Infant Health Hospital from January to June of 2016 were collected. Results indicated that most (114/134, 85%) of the multiparae chose delivery via cesarean section (CS) because of uterine scarring. There were significant differences in the body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy, BMI at delivery, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), and placenta previa between the CS and vaginal delivery groups (P < 0.05 for all). The current results suggest that vaginal delivery is recommended for the first delivery whenever reasonable. Moreover, management of metabolic disorders during pregnancy is essential to effectively reduce the rate of CS among women of AMA.

Recovery of uterine and ovarian function in patients with complete placenta previa after caesarean delivery: A retrospective study.

ABSTRACT: This retrospective study was designed to explore the recovery of uterine and ovarian function in patients with complete placenta previa (PP) after caesarean delivery (CD). 136 complete placenta previa patients (group completed placenta previa) and 140 patients without complete PP (group non-PP, control group) were included in this study from Jan 2016 to Dec 2018. Subgroup analysis of patients with complete PP was made to determine the impact of different hemostatic methods used during CD on the recovery of uterine function. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in postpartum menstrual cycle changes, ovarian hormone, and uterine vascular supply as measured by pulsatility index and systolic/diastolic ratio (P > .05). However, the group with complete PP had a reduced endometrial thickness (0.47 ±â€Š0.11 vs 0.50 ±â€Š0.12, P < .001), a lower uterine resistance index at 42nd days (0.84 ±â€Š0.03 vs 0.90 ±â€Š0.03, P < .001), and a delayed resumption menstruation (7.07 ±â€Š2.61 vs 5.31 ±â€Š2.16, P < .001) when compared with control group. Subgroup analysis showed that RI index of all subgroups in completed PP group was lower, endometrial thickness was thinner and the time to menstrual recovery was longer than that of non-PP group. In conclusion, the endometrial thickness and blood supply at 42nd days, not ovarian function, maybe affected after CD in patients with complete PP.

Uterine electromyography (EMG) measurements to predict preterm caesarean section in patients with complete placenta previa.

The objective of the study was to evaluate uterine electrical activity (EA) with EMG methods in pregnant women with complete placenta previa with preterm caesarean section (CS). This prospective study included 78 patients with complete placenta previa who were recorded for uterine EA activity from 32 to 34 weeks of gestation. The clinical and the uterine EMG burst characteristics, that are responsible for contractions, were compared between a preterm CS group (case group, n = 33) and an elective control group (control group, n = 45). The uterine EA burst duration was longer in the case group compared with the control group (28.79 ± 3.75 vs 19.35 ± 2.56 s; p < .001). Also, the number of burst per 30 min was also higher in the case group compared with the control group (3.28 ± 0.18 vs 1.72 ± 0.22; p < .001), Similarly, the RMS was higher in the case group compared with the control group (0.07 ± 0.01 vs 0.04 ± 0.01 mV; p = .041). In addition, the PDS was higher in the case group compared with the control group (0.47 ± 0.03 vs 0.39 ± 0.02 Hz; p = .023). This study demonstrates that women with complete placenta previa have higher uterine EA at 32-34 weeks of gestation and this is associated with a higher risk of preterm CS due to massive vaginal bleeding.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Antepartum massive bleeding in complete placenta previa causes maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity, currently there is no effective method to predict it.What do the results of this study add? This study showed in patients with complete placenta previa who were delivered preterm via emergent caesarean section, the uterine electrical activity measured by uterine electromyography (EMG) at 32-34 weeks of gestation had an active patternWhat are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Uterine EMG is a potential tool to measure uterine electrical activity and can guide clinical management of patients with complete placenta previa, further study are needed to confirm its effectiveness in a large sample size.

Trophoblast invasion: Lessons from abnormally invasive placenta (placenta accreta).

The invasion of the uterine wall by extravillous trophoblast is acknowledged as a crucial component of the establishment of pregnancy however, the only part of this process that has been clearly identified is the differentiation of cytotrophoblast (CTB) into the invasive extravillous trophoblast (EVT). The control of invasion, both initiation and termination, have yet to be elucidated and even the mechanism of differentiation is unclear. This review describes our studies which are designed to characterize the intracellular mechanisms that drive differentiation. We have used the over-invasion observed in abnormally invasive placenta (AIP; placenta accreta) to further interrogate this mechanism. Our results show that first trimester CTB to EVT differentiation is accomplished via an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), with EVT displaying a metastable, mesenchymal phenotype. In the third trimester, while the invasiveness of the EVT is lost, these cells still demonstrate signs of the EMT, albeit diminished. EVT isolated from AIP pregnancies do not however, show the same degree of reduction in EMT shown by normal third trimester cells. They exhibit a more mesenchymal phenotype, consistent with a legacy of greater invasiveness. The master regulatory transcription factor controlling the EMT appears, from the observational data, to be ZEB2 (zinc finger E-box binding protein 2). We verified this by overexpressing ZEB2 in the BeWo and JEG3 trophoblast cell lines and showing that they became more stellate in shape, up-regulated the expression of EMT-associated genes and demonstrated a substantially increased degree of invasiveness. The identification of the differentiation mechanism will enable us to identify the factors controlling invasion and those aberrant processes which generate the abnormal invasion seen in pathologies such as AIP and preeclampsia.

[Clinical investigation in the methods for complete placenta previa labor induction in the second trimester].

Objective: To investigate the appropriate method of labor induction in the second trimester for complete placenta previa patients. Methods: The labor induction outcomes of 85 cases with complete placenta previa in the second trimester were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty patients in group A were treated with cesarean section, 30 patients in group B were treated with ethacridine and mifepristone combined with uterine artery embolization (UAE), and 35 patients in group C were induced by using ethacridine and mifepristone. The clinical features and induction outcomes of three groups were compared. Results: The total duration of labor in group B [(28.7±30.1) hours] was significantly longer than that of group C [(24.3±21.9) hours; P<0.05]. The total amount of blood loss during induction and labor in group B [(302±271) ml] was significantly lower than those of group C [(393±523) ml] and group A [(626±487) ml; P<0.05]. The incidence of fever in group B (13%, 4/30) was significantly higher than those of group C (11%, 4/35) and group A (10%, 2/20; P<0.05). In group C, 13 patients (37%, 13/35) underwent emergency UAE, and 2 patients (6%, 2/35) underwent emergency cesarean section. As to average hemoglobin level and blood transfusion rate, there were no difference among the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Prophylactic UAE combined with drug induction in patients with complete placenta previa in the second trimester could significantly reduce the amount of bleeding during induction and reduce the risk of emergency procedures.

Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry at mid-term gestation as a potential predictive factor for the resolution of placenta previa at the end of third trimester of pregnancy.

AIM: The incidence of placenta previa before the third trimester is high. But many cases resolve as pregnancy progresses. Our study was to evaluate the efficacy of uterine artery Doppler velocimetry at mid-term gestation for predicting placenta previa resolution in third trimester. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was done. A study cohort of 504 subjects with placenta-cervix os distance measured both at 22-24 weeks and after 36 weeks of gestation and uterine artery Doppler velocimetry measured at 22-24 weeks of gestation were selected. The subjects were assigned to control group (n = 351), resolving group (n = 89) and placenta previa group (n = 64) according to their diagnosis of placenta previa at mid-term and the end of the third trimester. The averages of the bilateral ratio of uterine artery systolic to end-diastolic maximum blood flow velocity (S/D ratio), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) were used for analysis. RESULTS: The means of S/D ratio, PI and RI of uterine arteries in the placenta previa group were significantly lower than that in either control group or resolving group. No differences were observed between control group and resolving group. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.7632, 0.7579 and 0.7644 for the means of S/D ratio, PI and RI, respectively (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The means of S/D ratio, PI and RI of the uterine arteries at mid-term gestation are reduced in patients with persistent placenta previa, indicating unique pathogenic changes at mid-term gestation, and have the potential to be a predictive factor on placenta previa resolution.

Another look at returns to birthweight.

We revisit the causal effect of birthweight. Because variation in birthweight in developed countries primarily stems from variation in gestational age rather than intrauterine growth restriction, we depart from the widely-used twin fixed-effects estimator and employ an instrumental variable - the diagnosis of placenta previa, which provides exogenous variation in gestation length. We find protective effects of additional birthweight against infant mortality and health capital loss, such as cerebral palsy, but in contrast to sibling and twin studies, no strong evidence for non-health long-run outcomes, such as test scores. We also find that short-run birthweight effects have diminished significantly over the decades.

Risk factors for severe postpartum haemorrhage during caesarean section for placenta praevia.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of clinical and ultrasound risk factors in predicting severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) (≥1.5 L) in pregnancies undergoing caesarean section for placenta praevia. This cohort consists of all cases of placenta praevia undergoing caesarean delivery over a period of 5 years in a service unit. Patients and their delivery data were retrieved from an obstetric database. Ultrasound features were prospectively recorded before caesarean section. The incidence of caesarean section for placenta praevia was 0.98% (n = 215). Of these, 12.1% (n = 26) had severe PPH. A logistic regression model showed that major praevia, antepartum haemorrhage before delivery and anterior placenta remained significant factors associated with severe PPH. The sensitivity/specificity and positive/negative predictive value of the model are 96.2%, 59.8%, 24.8% and 99.1%, respectively. Our model had high sensitivity and negative predictive value for severe PPH during caesarean section for placenta praevia.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Placenta praevia is known to be one of the leading causes of severe PPH. Many risk factors have been associated with severe bleeding during caesarean section for placenta praevia. However, the importance of individual factors in predicting pregnancy outcome remains controversial.What the results of this study add? Our model includes only three simple parameters, namely the presence of significant antepartum haemorrhage (APH) from the history, and anterior or posterior placenta and major or minor praevia from ultrasound findings, but could predict up to 96.2% of all severe PPH. More importantly, the absence of APH, a posterior minor praevia, was associated with a negative predictive value of 99.1% of severe PPH, implying that such cases could be treated as 'normal' low risk caesarean sections.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This simple model would allow differential pre-operative counselling of patients on risks and complications, planning and preparation of operation, allocation of staff as well as in contingency measures to be taken during operation. The establishment of a differential protocol for placenta praevia based on these simple risks factors and a prospective trial of such a protocol is suggested.

A risk model to predict severe postpartum hemorrhage in patients with placenta previa: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to establish a predictive risk model for severe postpartum hemorrhage in placenta previa using clinical and placental ultrasound imaging performed prior to delivery. METHODS: Postpartum hemorrhage patients were retrospectively enrolled. Severe postpartum hemorrhage was defined as exceeding 1,500 mL. Data collected included clinical and placental ultrasound images. RESULTS: Age of pregnancy, time of delivery, time of miscarriage, history of vaginal delivery, gestational weeks at pregnancy termination, depth of placenta invading the uterine muscle wall were independent risk factors for severe postpartum hemorrhage in placenta previa. A model to predict severe postpartum hemorrhage in placenta previa was established: P=Log(Y/1-Y), where Y =-6.942 + 0.075 X1 (age) +1.531 X2 (times of delivery) + 0.223 X3 (time of miscarriage) - 3.557X4 (vaginal delivery: 1 for yes, 0 for no) + 1.753 X5 (0 for <37 weeks, 1 for ≥37 weeks) + 1.574 X6 (Depth of placenta invading uterine muscle wall: 0 for normal, 1 for placenta adhesion, 2 for placenta implantation, 3 for placenta penetration); discriminant boundary value of the prediction model (probability: P) was 0.268. Predicting sensitivity (Se) =0.765 (negative predicting accuracy rate), specificity (Sp) =0.900 (positive predicting accuracy rate), total accuracy rate =0.8000, and AUC of ROC curve =0.840. CONCLUSIONS: The risk prediction model which had clinical and ultrasound imaging information prior to delivery had a high decision accuracy. However, before it can be used in the clinic, multicenter large-sample clinical studies should be performed to verify its accuracy and reliability.

Expression of Cripto-1 in the placenta and its role in placenta accreta and placenta previa.

OBJECTIVES: This study Aims to explore the role of placental Cripto-1 in the incidence of an adherent placenta. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten pregnant women with placenta increta, 20 pregnant women with placenta previa and 30 women with normal pregnant were enrolled in this study. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression of Cripto-1 in the placenta while as the analysis of placental Cripto-1 was performed by Western blotting RESULTS: The placenta increta group showed higher levels of Cripto-1 in the center of the increta as compared to the non-implantation area. The level of placental Cripto-1 in the placenta increta was higher than that of the placenta accrete. The expression of placental Cripto-1 in the placenta increta and placenta previa groups was higher than that of control. CONCLUSIONS: Placental Cripto-1 is involved in the regulation of placental tissue invasion. Additionally, excessive placental growth or penetration into the myometrium are likely to be involved in the development of placenta increta.

Impact of placenta previa with placenta accreta spectrum disorder on fetal growth.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate fetal growth in pregnancies complicated by placenta previa with or without placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder, compared with in pregnancies with a low-lying placenta. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies complicated by placenta previa with or without PAS disorder, for which maternal characteristics, ultrasound-estimated fetal weight and birth weight were available. Four maternal-fetal medicine units participated in data collection of diagnosis, treatment and outcome. The control group comprised singleton pregnancies with a low-lying placenta (0.5-2 cm from the internal os). The diagnosis of PAS and depth of invasion were confirmed at delivery using both a predefined clinical grading score and histopathological examination. For comparison of pregnancy characteristics and fetal growth parameters, the study groups were matched for smoking status, ethnic origin, fetal sex and gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: The study included 82 women with placenta previa with PAS disorder, subdivided into adherent (n = 35) and invasive (n = 47) PAS subgroups, and 146 women with placenta previa without PAS disorder. There were 64 controls with a low-lying placenta. There was no significant difference in the incidence of small-for-gestational age (SGA) (birth weight ≤ 10th percentile) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) (birth weight ≥ 90th  percentile) between the study groups. Median gestational age at diagnosis was significantly lower in pregnancies with placenta previa without PAS disorder than in the low-lying placenta group (P = 0.002). No significant difference was found between pregnancies complicated by placenta previa with PAS disorder and those without for any of the variables. Median estimated fetal weight percentile was significantly lower in the adherent compared with the invasive previa-PAS subgroup (P = 0.047). Actual birth weight percentile at delivery did not differ significantly between the subgroups (P = 0.804). CONCLUSIONS: No difference was seen in fetal growth in pregnancies complicated by placenta previa with PAS disorder compared with those without and compared with those with a low-lying placenta. There was also no increased incidence of either SGA or LGA neonates in pregnancies with placenta previa and PAS disorder compared with those with placenta previa with spontaneous separation of the placenta at birth. Adverse neonatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by placenta previa and PAS disorder is linked to premature delivery and not to impaired fetal growth. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Interpregnancy interval and abnormally invasive placentation.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of a previous uterine scar is a strong risk factor for developing abnormally invasive placentation (AIP). We sought to determine whether a short interpregnancy interval predisposes to AIP. We hypothesized that a short interpregnancy interval after a previous cesarean delivery increases the risk of AIP in comparison with a longer interpregnancy interval. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of women with a histological diagnosis of AIP and a history of a previous cesarean section. Women were included in the control group if they had a previous cesarean section with a placenta underlying the previous uterine scar or an anterior previa. The time interval between pregnancy and AIP data was analyzed using the chi-square test and two-tailed Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the interpregnancy interval between women who had AIP vs the control group. Gravidity and parity were found to be significantly higher in the women with AIP vs the controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a short interpregnancy interval may not increase the risk of developing AIP.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Abnormal Invasive Placenta by Ultrasound: Measurement of Highest Peak Systolic Velocity of Subplacental Blood Flow.

The aim of the study described here was to identify an efficient criterion for the prenatal diagnosis of abnormal invasive placenta. We evaluated 129 women with anterior placenta previa who underwent trans-abdominal ultrasound evaluation in the third trimester. Spectral Doppler ultrasonography was performed to assess the subplacental blood flow of the anterior lower uterine segment by measuring the highest peak systolic velocity and resistive index. These patients were prospectively followed until delivery and evaluated for abnormal placental invasion. The peak systolic velocity and resistive index of patients with and without abnormal placental invasion were then compared. Postpartum examination revealed that 55 of the patients had an abnormal invasive placenta, whereas the remaining 74 did not. Patients with abnormal placental invasion had a higher peak systolic velocity of the subplacental blood flow in the lower segment of the anterior aspect of the uterus (area under receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.91; 95% confidence interval: 0.87-0.96) than did those without abnormal placental invasion. Our preliminary investigations suggest that a peak systolic velocity of 41 cm/s can be considered a cutoff point to diagnose abnormal invasive placenta, with both good sensitivity (87%) and good specificity (78%), and the higher the peak systolic velocity, the greater is the chance of abnormal placental invasion. Resistive index had no statistical significance (area under receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.46-0.66) in the diagnosis of abnormal invasive placenta. In conclusion, measurement of the highest peak systolic velocity of subplacental blood flow in the anterior lower uterine segment can serve as an additional marker of anterior abnormal invasive placenta.

Neuraxial Anesthesia During Cesarean Delivery for Placenta Previa With Suspected Morbidly Adherent Placenta: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: General anesthesia (GA) is often selected for cesarean deliveries (CD) with placenta previa and suspected morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) due to increased risk of hemorrhage and hysterectomy. We reviewed maternal outcomes and risk factors for conversion to GA in a cohort of patients undergoing CD and hysterectomy under neuraxial anesthesia (NA). METHODS: We performed a single-center, retrospective cohort study of parturients undergoing nonemergent CD for placenta previa with suspected MAP from 1997 to 2015. Patients were classified according to whether they received GA, NA, or intraoperative conversion from NA to GA. The primary outcome measure was postoperative acuity, defined as the need for intensive care unit admission, arterial embolization, reoperation, or ongoing transfusion with ≥3 units packed red blood cells. We additionally identified variables positively associated with intraoperative conversion from NA to GA during hysterectomy. Confounding was controlled with logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 129 patients undergoing nonemergent CD for placenta previa with suspected MAP, 122 (95%) received NA as the primary anesthetic. NA was selected in the majority of patients with a body mass index ≥40 kg/m (9 of 10, 90%), a history of ≥3 prior CDs (18 of 20, 90%), suspected placenta increta or percreta (29 of 35, 83%), and Mallampati classification ≥3 (19 of 21, 90%). Of 72 patients with NA at the time of delivery who required hysterectomy, 15 (21%) required conversion to GA intraoperatively. Converted patients had a higher rate of major packed red blood cell transfusion (60% vs 25%; P = .01), with similar rates of massive transfusion (9% vs 7%; P = 1.0). Converted patients also had a higher incidence of postoperative acuity (47% vs 4%; P < .0001), including 5 intensive care unit admissions for airway management after large-volume resuscitation. After adjusting for multiple confounders, the only independent predictors of conversion among hysterectomy patients were longer surgical duration (adjusted odds ratio 1.54, 95% CI, 1.01-2.42) and a history of ≥3 prior CDs (adjusted odds ratio, 6.45; 95% CI, 1.12-45.03). CONCLUSIONS: NA was applied to and successfully used in the majority of patients with suspected MAP. Our findings support selective conversion to GA during hysterectomy in these patients, focusing on those with the highest levels of surgical complexity.

Association between surgically diagnosed endometriosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between surgically diagnosed endometriosis and pregnancy outcomes in subsequent pregnancies. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of women who delivered a singleton live birth from 2003 to 2013 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. SETTING: Tertiary level academic center. PATIENT(S): Pregnant women with surgically diagnosed endometriosis were identified using International Classification of Diseases-10 codes from previous hospital admissions and were compared with pregnant women with no prior admission for endometriosis for the occurrences of adverse pregnancy outcomes. INTERVENTION(S): Observational study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, placenta previa, placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. RESULTS: Among the 52,202 eligible mother-infant pairs, we identified 469 mothers with surgically diagnosed endometriosis from a previous hospital encounter. Compared with women without endometriosis, women with endometriosis were on average older and were more likely to be primiparous, have lower gravidity, have a history spontaneous abortion, conceive with assisted reproductive technology, and reside in areas with higher neighborhood income and lower proportion of immigrants. Women with endometriosis were found to have an elevated risk of placenta previa (relative risk [RR], 3.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-5.40) and cesarean delivery (RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10-1.40). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, women with endometriosis were found to have a significantly elevated risk of placenta previa compared with women without endometriosis (adjusted RR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.39-4.64). CONCLUSION(S): This study identifies baseline demographic differences between women with and without endometriosis and suggests that women affected by endometriosis have an independently elevated risk of placenta previa in pregnancy.