Maternal Hemodynamics from Preconception to Delivery: Research and Potential Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications: Position Statement by Italian Association of Pre-Eclampsia and Italian Society of Perinatal Medicine.

OBJECTIVE: The Italian Association of Preeclampsia (AIPE) and the Italian Society of Perinatal Medicine (SIMP) developed clinical questions on maternal hemodynamics state of the art. STUDY DESIGN: AIPE and SIMP experts were divided in small groups and were invited to propose an overview of the existing literature on specific topics related to the clinical questions proposed, developing, wherever possible, clinical and/or research recommendations based on available evidence, expert opinion, and clinical importance. Draft recommendations with a clinical rationale were submitted to 8th AIPE and SIMP Consensus Expert Panel for consideration and approval, with at least 75% agreement required for individual recommendations to be included in the final version. RESULTS: More and more evidence in literature underlines the relationship between maternal and fetal hemodynamics, as well as the relationship between maternal cardiovascular profile and fetal-maternal adverse outcomes such as fetal growth restriction and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Experts agreed on proposing a classification of pregnancy hypertension, complications, and cardiovascular states based on three different hemodynamic profiles depending on total peripheral vascular resistance values: hypodynamic (>1,300 dynes·s·cm-5), normo-dynamic, and hyperdynamic (<800 dynes·s·cm-5) circulation. This differentiation implies different therapeutical strategies, based drugs' characteristics, and maternal cardiovascular profile. Finally, the cardiovascular characteristics of the women may be useful for a rational approach to an appropriate follow-up, due to the increased cardiovascular risk later in life. CONCLUSION: Although the evidence might not be conclusive, given the lack of large randomized trials, maternal hemodynamics might have great importance in helping clinicians in understanding the pathophysiology and chose a rational treatment of patients with or at risk for pregnancy complications. KEY POINTS: · Altered maternal hemodynamics is associated to fetal growth restriction.. · Altered maternal hemodynamics is associated to complicated hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.. · Maternal hemodynamics might help choosing a rational treatment during hypertensive disorders..

Perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with severe COVID-19 requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): a case series and literature review.

PURPOSE: Pregnant women with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have a higher risk of hospitalization, admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and invasive ventilation, and of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In case of ARDS and critical severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is recommended when other respiratory support strategies (oxygen insufflation, non-invasive ventilation [NIV], invasive ventilation through an endotracheal tube) are insufficient. However, available data on ECMO in pregnant and postpartum women with critical COVID-19 are very limited. METHODS: A case series of three critically ill pregnant women who required ECMO support for COVID-19 in pregnancy and/or in the postpartum period. RESULTS: The first patient tested positive for COVID-19 during the second trimester, she developed ARDS and required ECMO for 38 days. She was discharged in good general conditions and a cesarean-section [CS] at term was performed for obstetric indication. The second patient developed COVID-19-related ARDS at 28 weeks of gestation. During ECMO, she experienced a precipitous vaginal delivery at 31 weeks and 6 days of gestation. She was discharged 1 month later in good general conditions. The third patient, an obese 43-year-old woman, tested positive at 38 weeks and 2 days of gestation. Because of the worsening of clinical condition, a CS was performed, and she underwent ECMO. 143 days after the CS, she died because of sepsis and multiple organ failure (MOF). Thrombosis, hemorrhage and infections were the main complications among our patients. Neonatal outcomes have been positive. CONCLUSION: ECMO should be considered a life-saving therapy for pregnant women with severe COVID-19.

Peri-incisional and intraperitoneal ropivacaine administration: a new effective tool in pain control after laparoscopic surgery in gynecology: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: A proportion of patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery experiences excessive post-operative pain, which results in high rescue analgesic treatment and prolonged hospitalization. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative topical ropivacaine in the control of post-operative pain in the first 48 h after operative laparoscopy for benign adnexal or uterine pathologies . METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients received a standard dose of topical ropivacaine (injected at the three portal sites and atomized in the abdominal cavity) or placebo. The primary outcome was the evaluation of post-operative pain intensity 6 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes included the intensity of pain during the 48 h after surgery, shoulder tip pain and the request for rescue analgesics during the first 48 h after surgery, time to discharge from recovery room, time to mobilizing on the ward and time to return to daily activities. Patients were divided in two groups (Group_A: benign adnexal pathologies; Group_B: benign uterine diseases) and assigned to Subgroup_1 (receiving ropivacaine) and Subgroup_2 (receiving placebo). RESULTS: A total of 187 women were included: 93 in Group_A and 94 in Group_B. Forty-seven patients entered Subgroup_A1, 46 Subgroup_A2, 48 Subgroup_B1 and 46 Subgroup_B2. Subgroup_A1 experienced lower post-operative pain at 4 (p = 0.008) and 6 h (p = 0.001) as well as a faster return to daily activities (p = 0.01) in comparison with Subgroup_A2. Both Subgroup_A1 and Subgroup_B1 showed lower shoulder tip pain (respectively, p = 0.032 and p = 0.001) as well as shorter time to mobilizing on the ward after surgery (respectively, p = 0.001 and p = 0.01). The remaining variables analysis did not show significant results. CONCLUSIONS: Combined topical analgesia with ropivacaine could represent a new safe and effective tool in the control of post-operative pain in gynecological laparoscopic surgery. Given the greater benefits for adnexal surgery, this strategy may be more suitable for this class of patients.

Supreme Laryngeal Mask Airway versus Face Mask during Neonatal Resuscitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of supreme laryngeal mask airway (SLMA) over face mask ventilation for preventing need for endotracheal intubation at birth. STUDY DESIGN: We report a prospective, randomized, parallel 1:1, unblinded, controlled trial. After a short-term educational intervention on SLMA use, infants ≥34-week gestation and/or expected birth weight ≥1500 g requiring positive pressure ventilation (PPV) at birth were randomized to resuscitation by SLMA or face mask. The primary outcome was the success rate of the resuscitation devices (SLMA or face mask) defined as the achievement of an effective PPV preventing the need for endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: We enrolled 142 patients (71 in SLMA and 71 in face mask group, respectively). Successful resuscitation rate was significantly higher with the SLMA compared with face mask ventilation (91.5% vs 78.9%; P = .03). Apgar score at 5 minutes was significantly higher in SLMA than in face mask group (P = .02). Neonatal intensive care unit admission rate was significantly lower in SLMA than in face mask group (P = .02). No complications related to the procedure occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In newborns with gestational age ≥34 weeks and/or expected birth weight ≥1500 g needing PPV at birth, the SLMA is more effective than face mask to prevent endotracheal intubation. The SLMA is effective in clinical practice after a short-term educational intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01963936.

Maternal Oxygen Administration during Labor: A Controversial Practice.

Oxygen administration to the mother is commonly performed during labor, especially in the case of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate, aiming to increase oxygen diffusion through the placenta to fetal tissues. The benefits and potential risks are controversial, especially when the mother is not hypoxemic. Its impact on placental gas exchange and the fetal acid-base equilibrium is not fully understood and it probably affects the sensible placental oxygen equilibrium causing a time-dependent vasoconstriction of umbilical and placental vessels. Hyperoxia might also cause the generation of radical oxygen species, raising concerns for the developing fetal cells. Moreover, this practice affects the maternal cardiovascular system, causing alterations of the cardiac index, heart rate and vascular resistance, and unclear effects on uterine blood flow. In conclusion, there is no evidence that maternal oxygen administration can provide any benefit in the case of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern, while possible collateral effects warn of its utilization. Oxygen administration during labor should be reserved for cases of maternal hypoxia.

Placenta accreta spectrum: experience of conservative surgery during cesarean section and clinical and radiological management during pregnancy and follow-up.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a condition of abnormal placental invasion including placenta accreta, increta and percreta and is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Recently, a conservative surgical technique has been proposed as a valid alternative to peri-partum hysterectomy to reduce the short- and long-term risks for the mothers and to preserve fertility. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) seems to be useful first of all at the time of diagnosis and furthermore to investigate the course of conservative management of PAS. We describe three cases of PAS treated with conservative procedure and managed with clinic, ultrasound and MRI by a multidisciplinary equipe.

Risk factors for difficult Laryngeal Mask Airway LMA-Supreme™ (LMAS) placement in adults: a multicentric prospective observational study in an Italian population.

BACKGROUND: Supraglottic airway devices (SADs) are precious tools for airway management in both routine and rescue situations; few studies have analyzed the risk factors for their difficult insertion. METHODS: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for difficult insertion for a specific SAD, the Laryngeal Mask Airway LMA-Supreme™ (LMAS). This was a prospective multicentric observational study on a cohort of Italian adult patients receiving general anesthesia for elective surgery. The possible causes of difficulty in LMAS placement (difficulty in insertion or unsatisfactory ventilation) were identified based on literature and on the opinion of international airway management experts. A dedicated datasheet was prepared to collect patients' data, including anthropometric-parameters and parameters for the prediction of difficult airway management, as well as technical choices for the use of LMAS. Data were analyzed to discover the risk factors for difficult LMAS placement and the association between each risk factor and the proportion of incorrect positioning was evaluated through the relative risk and its confidence interval. RESULTS: Four hundred thirty-two patients were enrolled; seventy required two or more attempts to insert the LMAS; nine required a change of strategy. At multivariate analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with difficult LMAS placement: Mallampati III-IV with either phonation or not; inter-incisor distance < 3 cm; reduced neck mobility; no administration of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs). CONCLUSIONS: The alignment of the laryngeal and pharyngeal axes seems to facilitate the procedure, together with NMBA administration; on the contrary, Mallampati grade III-IV are associated with difficult LMAS placement.

Lung Deposition of Surfactant Delivered via a Dedicated Laryngeal Mask Airway in Piglets.

It is unknown if the lung deposition of surfactant administered via a catheter placed through a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is equivalent to that obtained by bolus instillation through an endotracheal tube. We compare the lung deposition of surfactant delivered via two types of LMA with the standard technique of endotracheal instillation. 25 newborn piglets on continuous positive airway pressure support (CPAP) were randomized into three groups: 1-LMA-camera (integrated camera and catheter channel; catheter tip below vocal cords), 2-LMA-standard (no camera, no channel; catheter tip above the glottis), 3-InSurE (Intubation, Surfactant administration, Extubation; catheter tip below end of endotracheal tube). All animals received 100 mg·kg-1 of poractant alfa mixed with 99mTechnetium-nanocolloid. Surfactant deposition was measured by gamma scintigraphy as a percentage of the administered dose. The median (range) total lung surfactant deposition was 68% (10-85), 41% (5-88), and 88% (67-92) in LMA-camera, LMA-standard, and InSurE, respectively, which was higher (p < 0.05) in the latter. The deposition in the stomach and nasopharynx was higher with the LMA-standard. The surfactant deposition via an LMA was lower than that obtained with InSurE. Although not statistically significant, introducing the catheter below the vocal cords under visual control with an integrated camera improved surfactant LMA delivery by 65%.

Heat loss prevention in very preterm infants in delivery rooms: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial of polyethylene caps.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in preterm infants whether polyethylene caps prevent heat loss after delivery better than polyethylene occlusive wrapping and conventional drying. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled trial of infants <29 weeks' gestation including 3 study groups: (1) experimental group in which the heads of patients were covered with a polyethylene cap; (2) polyethylene occlusive skin wrap group; and (3) control group in which infants were dried. Axillary temperatures were compared at the time of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) immediately after cap and wrap removal and 1 hour later. RESULTS: The 96 infants randomly assigned (32 covered with caps, 32 wrapped, 32 control) completed the study. Mean axillary temperature on NICU admission was similar in the cap group (36.1 degrees C +/- 0.8 degrees C) and wrap group (35.8 degrees C +/- 0.9 degrees C), and temperatures on admission to the NICU were significantly higher than in the control group (35.3 degrees C +/- 0.8 degrees C; P < .01). Infants covered with polyethylene caps (43%) and placed in polyethylene bags (62%) were less likely to have a temperature <36.4 degrees C on admission to the NICU than control infants (90%). In the cap group, temperature 1 hour after admission was significantly higher than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: For very preterm infants, polyethylene caps are comparable with polyethylene occlusive skin wrapping to prevent heat loss after delivery. Both these methods are more effective than conventional treatment.

Laryngeal Mask Airway for neonatal resuscitation in a developing country: evaluation of an educational intervention. Neonatal LMA: an educational intervention in DRC.

BACKGROUND: Studies carried out in developing countries have indicated that training courses in newborn resuscitation are efficacious in teaching local birth attendants how to properly utilize simple resuscitation devices. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and expertise gained by physicians and midwifes who participated in a Neonatal Resuscitation Course and workshop organized in a Third World Country on the use of Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA). METHODS: A 28-item questionnaire, derived from the standard test contained in the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Manual, was administered to 21 physicians and 7 midwifes before and after a course, which included a practical, hands-on workshop focusing on LMA positioning and bag-ventilation in a neonatal manikin. RESULTS: The knowledge gained by the physicians was superior to that demonstrated by the midwifes. The physicians, in fact, demonstrated a significant improvement with respect to their pre-course knowledge. Both the physicians and the midwives showed a good level of expertise in manipulating the manipulating the manikin during the practical trial session. The midwifes and physicians almost unanimously manifested a high degree of approval of neonatal resuscitation by LMA, as they defined it a sustainable and cost-effective method requiring minimal expertise. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are warranted to test the advantages and limits of the neonatal LMA training courses in developing countries.

Pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy: management of two cases.

PURPOSE: The aim of this article is to describe two cases of pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy to highlight the major issues associated with the obstetric and anesthesiological management of such patients who, despite the medical advice, decided to continue their pregnancy and gave birth to healthy babies. METHODS AND RESULTS: In our first case, there has been the need for a general anesthesia because of the detachment of the placenta, whereas in the second case elective surgery under spinal anesthesia was performed, thus avoiding the anesthesiological and surgical problems associated with an emergency. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy is contraindicated in case of pulmonary hypertension, a highly morbid disease affecting young women of childbearing age. Therefore, in such cases, a multidisciplinary approach is indispensable to plan optimal treatment for patients who wish to pursue a pregnancy even though their heart disease exposes them to a high level of risk.

Comparison between ketamine and fentanyl-droperidol for rectal premedication in children: a randomized placebo controlled trial.

PURPOSE: A common concern of anesthesiologists is the management of children involved in stressful scenarios, and premedication is considered, in most situations, as useful to reduce the stress responses. This randomized placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate two premedicants, ketamine versus a combination of fentanyl-droperidol, rectally administered, in pediatric surgical outpatients. METHODS: We randomly assigned 120 children to three equal groups to be rectally premedicated with ketamine 10 mg kg(-1) (group K), fentanyl 5 microg kg(-1) + droperidol 100 microg kg(-1) (group F), or saline 0.2 ml kg(-1) (group P). A blinded observer scored the children's behavior, according to a four-category behavioral scale, before premedication (time A), 45 min after premedication (time B), immediately before venipuncture (time C), and during the venipuncture (time D). Features of the premedication technique, complications, parents' opinions, and contraindications to hospital discharge were recorded. RESULTS: Patient discharge was delayed because of anesthesia side effects in 7 cases (5.8%) and surgical problems in 9 (7.5%). Group F showed a higher rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) than group K, whereas the latter had a higher rate of behavioral disturbances. The data showed a significant difference in the behavioral score between groups F and P, groups K and P, and groups F and K at time B, and between groups K and P at time C. The reaction score at venipuncture shows a significant difference between groups K and P only. CONCLUSION: In this study, premedication with rectal ketamine showed significantly better overall results in the preoperative period than premedication with either fentanyl-droperidol or placebo.

Cardiac arrest in the delivery room after spinal anesthesia for cesarean section: a case report and review of literature.

Cardiac arrest in pregnancy is a rare event due to different cause. When it occurs after spinal anesthesia a cause that can explain this event is the Bezold-Jarish Reflex (BJR). A cardiac arrest occurs in a pregnant women after spinal anesthesia admistered for urgent caesarean section. During this event perimortem caesarean delivery (PMCD) is the rapid surgical way that can improve maternal and fetal outcomes. In this situation, it is very important to have a multidisciplinary team of midwives, obstetricians, anesthetists, neonatologists, intensivists that is able to perform perimortem caesarean delivery according to the guidelines.

Supraglottic airway devices for surfactant treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare surfactant administration via supraglottic airway device (SAD) vs. nasal CPAP alone or INSURE. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Clinicaltrials.gov was performed. Articles meeting inclusion criteria (RCT, surfactant administration via SAD, laryngeal mask, I-gel) were assessed RESULTS: Five RCTs were eligible. Surfactant administration via SAD reduced the need for intubation/mechanical ventilation (RR 0.57, 95%CI 0.38-0.85) and short-term oxygen requirements (MD -8.00, 95%CI -11.09 to -4.91) compared to nCPAP alone. Surfactant administration via SAD reduced the need for intubation/mechanical ventilation (RR 0.43, 95%CI 0.31-0.61), but increased short-term oxygen requirements (MD 3.10, 95%CI 0.51-5.69) compared to INSURE approach. CONCLUSIONS: In preterm infants with RDS, surfactant administration via SAD reduces the need for intubation/mechanical ventilation. Overall, available literature includes few, small, poor-quality studies. Surfactant administration via SAD should be limited to clinical trials.

Influence of OPRM1 Polymorphism on Postoperative Pain After Intrathecal Morphine Administration in Italian Patients Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the influence of OPRM1 polymorphism on the analgesic efficacy (including visual analog scale [VAS] scores and requirement for rescue analgesia) of a standard dose of intrathecal morphine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An Italian cohort of 63 parturients, scheduled for elective cesarean section at a tertiary University Hospital, received spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine and morphine 100 mcg. For the first 48 hours in the postoperative period the patients received acetaminophen 1 g IV q6hr. Incident pain was treated with ketorolac 30 mg IV. Every 6 hours the following parameters were registered: VAS at rest, VAS during movements, postoperative nausea and vomiting, pruritus, and rescue analgesic medications requirements. Age and anthropometric data, number of pregnancies, educational level, OPRM1 genotype, were also obtained. RESULTS: Of the 63 patients enrolled, 45 (71%) were homozygous genotype A/A (118A group), whereas 18 carried the G variants of OPRM1 (A/G or G/G) (118G group). No significant differences in analgesic rescue doses' administration and in incidence of moderate/severe postoperative pain (VAS>3) between the 2 groups were observed. Pruritus was more frequent in the 118A group than in the 118G group in the first 24 hours of the postoperative period. DISCUSSION: In the Italian population participating in this study there was a different incidence of pruritus in the postcesarean period in response to intrathecal opioids related to OPRM1 gene polymorphism, but not of postoperative pain.

Safety aspects of desflurane anesthesia and laryngeal mask airway.

Laryngeal mask (LM) and inhaled anesthesia combination is often deemed unsuitable. Actually the evolution of surgical procedures towards minimal invasiveness, the search of improved productivity, and the contemporary need for patient safety and faster recovery, push the anesthetists to get interested in their use in the daily practice. An Expert Panel composed by anesthetists coming from university and tertiary hospitals undertook to write an experts' opinion on the correct management of LM and desflurane in adult patients, with a view to issuing a simple operative protocol for their combined intraoperative usage. Main operative steps have been defined, which, if appropriately implemented, would successfully achieve safety objectives. Two aspects are considered crucial, first the educational role of Universities and Medical Schools to structure a systematic approach to the theoretical and practical teaching of the use of LM with desflurane; second an appropriate training for improving the skills in the use of LM also for more complicated patients.

Ultrasound evaluation of the stomach and gastric emptying in pregnant women at term: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the rate of gastric emptying in pregnant women in the third trimester scheduled for elective caesarean section (CS), in view to highlight the aspiration risk. METHODS: A prospective case-control study, with the approval of the Ethics Committee, was performed. At term pregnant women (group A) scheduled for CS and volunteer controls were recruited (group B). The ultrasonographic measurement of the antral area was performed, after a standardized meal, with a Convex probe. The antrum was displayed in the sagittal or parasagittal projections in the right upper quadrant, medial to the mid-clavicular line. The diameters of the antrum were measured and then the antral area was calculated. The measurements were conducted at 10 (T1), 90 (T2) and 240 (T3) minutes from the meal. Anthropometric data were collected for each patient. RESULTS: In group B, antrum distention was observed already after 10 minutes from the meal, and then a gradual decrease in the antral area until 4 hours after the meal was registered. On the contrary, in group A (at term pregnant) there was an initial smaller increase of antral area, followed by a greater increase that lasts up to 90 minutes, and finally a delayed and smaller reduction. CONCLUSIONS: In pregnant women at term, the stomach does not seem to be able to expand immediately after the meal. The transit of food is completed later than in not pregnant women. The ultrasound of the stomach allows identifying delays gastric emptying and highlighting patients at risk of aspiration.