Hemostasis restoring in postpartum hemorrhage — algorithm 2023

Abstract

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is still the leading cause of perinatal death in women of reproductive age. It is characterized by high dynamics, and most women die within the first day of puerperium and as many as 88% of them within the first 4 hours from the onset of hemorrhage. Management of each massive obstetric hemorrhage requires interdisciplinary, team-based and multidirectional action. The need for simultaneous application of uterotonic agents, surgical and/or endovascular methods as well as procedures aimed at restoring volume and hemostasis should be emphasized. The protocol for the management of severe PPH should be individualized and take into account hemorrhage etiology. Each time the volume of circulating blood as well as the degree of blood loss have to be determined, and the adequate procedures, the starting points for implementing aggressive treatment and the satisfactory end points must be defined. The most common cause of severe, life-threatening PPH is uterine atony. Restoration of hemostasis in massive PPH consists in transfusion of blood components, administration of antifibrinolytic drugs and coagulation factor concentrates, rFVIIa included. Patient survival is often determined by the very risk assessment for hemorrhage, early diagnosis and rapid implementation of PPH management algorithms.