Obstetric Shock Research Articles

Septic shock in obstetrics: the role of efferent techniques for endotoxin removal in Gram-negative sepsis

Aim: to assess the sorption capacity of various devices for endotoxin removal modelled in in vitro patient with septic shock experiment.Materials and Methods. Endotoxin adsorption was evaluated in vitro by using circulating endotoxin solution in bovine serum in a closed circuit. The following columns were chosen for the experiment: Toraymyxin PMX-20R (РМХ), Alteco® LPS Adsorber, Efferon LPS, Toray Filtryzer BK-2.1U. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) doses corresponding to severity of the septic process were sequentially added to a column pre-washed with physiological solution. The first LPS dose of 12.5 μg was added to a flask containing 1500 ml (1.5 L) of fetal bovine serum, a second LPS dose of 37.5 μg was added to the serum samples collected before the onset of experiment, as well as 30, 60, 120 (before the second dose), 120 (after the second dose), 150 and 240 minutes after the start of circulation. LPS measurement was carried out by mixing the prepared serum sample with LAL reagent at 1:1 ratio in a measuring tube.Results. All columns can reduce endotoxin levels below the 12.5 μg and even 50 μg levels, although none of devices were able to reduce the LPS level from “supercritical” 50 μg to “critical” 12.5 μg. However, at the same time, the capacity of the Toraymyxin PMX-20R column turned out to be 5–13 times greater than that of other products. This result suggests that while removing endotoxin under similar conditions, the Toraymyx in PMX-20R column will have a much higher reserve of sorption capacity and, therefore, greater opportunities for lowering a risk of septic shock progression.Conclusion. The work we presented provides insights into whether sorption capacity of the presented cartridges is sufficient to remove endotoxin at initial (12.5 μg) load that corresponds to the onset of systemic inflammatory response syndrome in a typical patient. Additionally, it elucidates to what extent a cartridge can reduce the endotoxin load in severe septic shock with a total LPS load of up to 50 μg.

Home birth in Croatia - a medico-legal perspective today.

In Croatia, the model of obstetrics-midwifery management of childbirth in maternity hospitals is still in effect, and this is how > 99% of Croatian women give birth. However, in my view, midwives are still not sufficiently educated for completely independent work notwithstanding their university education. The Law on Midwifery defined the role of the midwife in home birth without, however, setting out other organisational-communication and professional provisions. Then it began with sporadic midwifery home births of a few per year, which grew quite rapidly, especially with the impact of the Covid-19 virus pandemic, to about 100 out of a total of about 38,000 births that are performed annually in the Republic of Croatia in maternity hospitals. Since the start of planned home births many bad perinatal outcomes have been recorded in hospital maternity wards who have admitted women after such deliveries. These include puerperal sepsis, protracted labour of several days, neglected protracted labour with perinatal asphyxia and aspiration of meconium amniotic fluid and resuscitation of the newborn (who later developed cerebral palsy), severe postpartum haemorrhage with obstetric shock and postpartum hysterectomy, episiotomy infection, and stillbirth at term pregnancy. Therefore, planned home birth in Croatia should now be regarded as an unsafe birth in extraordinary circumstances and the person who takes charge of it must be professionally prepared, educated and have numerous social skills. Most Croatian gynaecologists and obstetricians give support to midwives in their efforts to be professional and independent when at work, including the controlled and legal implementation of the planned home birth. We unreservedly support self-aware midwives to maintain their profession as highly ethical and professional as possible above the wishes of non-professionals who call for autonomy, so that we do not have to discuss such problems of malpractice of Croatian midwifery in the 21st century.

The Role Anesthesiologist in Management of Obstetric Haemorrhage: A Literature Review

Hemorrhagic shock in obstetrics is still a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Recognition of bleeding in obstetric patients is complicated by the normal physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy. Visual estimates of blood loss are often erroneous and underestimated because of contamination with amniotic fluid, or internal or hidden blood loss. Thus, careful clinical observation and a high index of suspicion are required for the early detection and management of obstetric hemorrhage. The usage of ultrasound (US) is considered as the first line method for detecting abnormal condition which might serve as a predictor for hemorrhagic shock. Despite of careful risk assessment given, obstetric-specific bleeding protocols, such as resuscitation and blood transfusion, are required to facilitate the integration and timely escalation interventions. The intervention of choice for hemorrhagic shock in obstetrics encompasses a wide variety of options, such as the usage of tranexamic acid, cell salvage, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA), anesthetic management, and surgical, as well as radiological provides multiple available approach, each with their own risk and advantages. The purpose of this review is to describe the management of obstetric hemorrhage from anesthetic point of view, encompassing the identification of patients at risk, resuscitative management, and perioperative management.

Abnormal obstetric shock index and associated factors among immediate postpartum women following vaginal delivery at a tertiary hospital in southwestern Uganda

BackgroundEarly recognition of haemodynamic instability after birth and prompt interventions are necessary to reduce adverse maternal outcomes due to postpartum haemorrhage. Obstetric shock Index (OSI) has been recommended as a simple, accurate, reliable, and low-cost early diagnostic measure that identifies hemodynamically unstable women.ObjectivesWe determined the prevalence of abnormal obstetric shock index and associated factors among women in the immediate postpartum period following vaginal delivery at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in southwestern Uganda.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study at the labour suite and postnatal ward of MRRH from January 2022 to April 2022. We systematically sampled women who had delivered vaginally, and measured their blood pressures and pulse rates at 1 h postpartum. We excluded mothers with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Sociodemographic, medical and obstetric data were obtained through interviewer-administered questionnaires. The prevalence of abnormal OSI was the proportion of participants with an OSI ≥ 0.9 (calculated as the pulse rate divided by the systolic BP). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations between abnormal OSI and independent variables.ResultsWe enrolled 427 women with a mean age of 25.66 ± 5.30 years. Of these, 83 (19.44%), 95% CI (15.79–23.52) had an abnormal obstetric shock index. Being referred [aPR 1.94, 95% CI (1.31–2.88), p = 0.001], having had antepartum haemorrhage [aPR 2.63, 95% CI (1.26–5.73), p = 0.010] and having a visually estimated blood loss > 200 mls [aPR 1.59, 95% CI (1.08–2.33), p = 0.018] were significantly associated with abnormal OSI.ConclusionApproximately one in every five women who delivered vaginally at MRRH during the study period had an abnormal OSI. We recommend that clinicians have a high index of suspicion for haemodynamic instability among women in the immediate postpartum period. Mothers who are referred in from other facilities, those that get antepartum haemorrhage and those with estimated blood loss > 200mls should be prioritized for close monitoring. It should be noted that the study was not powered to study the factors associated with AOSI and therefore the analysis for factors associated should be considered exploratory.

Septic shock in obstetrics: guidelines of the All-Russian public organization “Federation of Anesthesiologists and Reanimatologists”

The article reflects the main provisions of the clinical guidelines on septic shock in obstetrics, approved by the All-Russian public organization “Federation of Anesthesiologists-Resuscitators” in 2022. The relevance of the problem is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates from sepsis and septic shock in obstetrics. The main issues of etiology, pathogenesis, clinical picture, methods of laboratory and instrumental diagnostics, features of using the qSOFA, SOFA, MOEWS, SOS, MEWC, IMEWS scales for sepsis verification are consistently presented. The article presents the starting intensive therapy (the first 6–12 hours) of the treatment of septic shock in obstetrics, taking into account the characteristics of the pregnant woman's body. The strategy of prescribing vasopressors (norepinephrine, phenylephrine, epinephrine), inotropic drugs (dobutamine) is described, antibiotics and optimal antibiotic therapy regimens, features of infusion and adjuvant therapy are presented. The issues of surgical treatment of the focus of infection and indications for hysterectomy, as well as the organization of medical care and rehabilitation of patients with sepsis and septic shock were discussed. The basic principles of prevention of sepsis and septic shock in obstetrics are described. The criteria for the quality of medical care for patients with septic shock and the algorithms of doctor's actions in the diagnosis and intensive care of patients with septic shock in obstetrics are presented.

Pelvic packing in the treatment of severe postpartum posthysterectomiam hemorrhage.

Pelvic packing (PP) as a simple method of ”damage control surgery” in severe abdominopelvic hemorrhage in gynecological and obstetric surgery after emergency obstetrics or gynecological hysterectomy. To present the case of successful PP as a simple and effective method in refractory pelvic bleeding after emergent peripartum hysterectomy and severe obstetric shock with consumptive coagulopathy. Acording to laboratory findings and clinical condition in a 30-year-old (G2 P2) parturient, it was most likely an obstetric embolism with uterine rupture as the cause of severe postparum hemorrhage with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and obstetrics hemorrhagic shock development in the described case. Pelvic packing after postpartum hysterectomy was the definitive minimally invasive and simple hemostatic procedure. The use of pelvic packing and obstetrics skills should be included in the protocol as a necessary, life-saving, and uncomplicated vital indication procedure.

Analysis of Factors and Clinical Treatment Measures of Hemorrhagic Shock in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Analysis of Factors and Clinical Treatment Measures of Hemorrhagic Shock in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Obstetric shock and shock in obstetrics - steady obstetrical syndrome.

Obstetric shock (OS) has been defined as a life-threatening cardiovascular collapse syndrome associated with pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium (obstetrics causes), and is the most significant cause of high maternal mortality (MM) throughout human history. Shock in obstetrics (SIO) refers to indirect causes of non-obstetrics causes in pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium (polytrauma, aesthetic incidents, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular incidents, other septic syndromes). The goals of OS treatment are: to quickly detect the location or cause of bleeding / injury / inflammation, prevent the progression of shock, prevent massive transfusions, preserve the uterus (and adnexa), and preserve fertility if possible. Surgical treatment of septic shock includes exploratory laparotomy (laparoscopy), ectomy or resection of the necrotized organ, abdominal lavage with multiple drainages, continuous peritoneal drainage with lavation, extensive triple antibiosis per admission or per antibiogram and thromboprophylaxis. OS seems to remain a permanent miasma in practical clinical obstetrics, which we will not be able to influence, because we have obviously caused today's increase in MM from haemorrhagic OS by iatrogenic increase in the number of caesarean sections, especially elective ones.

Transvaginally surgically treatment of early postpartum hemorrhage caused by lower uterine segment atony.

Prove the success of transvaginal hemostatic procedures in treatment of the early postpartum hemorrhage caused by lower uterine segment atony. We have conducted a retrospective, clinical study during a 10-year period (2010-2019) in our institution that is tertiary perinatal university center. This particular study enrolled total number of 29,543 deliveries with 215 cases of early postpartum hemorrhage (0.72%). Lower uterine segment atony was diagnosed in 44 cases (29.93%) in all uterine atony cases of early postpartum hemorrhage. Hemostatic ligation procedures according to authors: Losickaja in two cases, Hebisch-Huch in 13 cases, Habek in seven cases, Hebisch-Huch+Losickaja in 10 cases. According to our results, hemostatic ligation procedures alone (32 cases; 72.72%) or combined with gauze or ballon tamponade (five cases, 11.36%), have shown to be highly effective in 37 cases (84.09%). Lower uterine segment atony should definitely be identified and understood as a clinical entity. Transvaginal hemostatic approach for surgical treatment of lower uterine segment atony is accessible, minimally invasive, feasible, successful and lifesaving. All of the above-mentioned methods are of great importance in the prevention and treatment of obstetric shock, multiorgan failure, postpartum hysterectomy and finally vital for fertility preservation.

Clinical application value of responsibility nursing in the rescue of hemorrhagic shock in obstetrics and gynecology.

Clinical application value of responsibility nursing in the rescue of hemorrhagic shock in obstetrics and gynecology.

What is the normal range of obstetric shock index in the immediate postpartum period in a low-resource setting?

To determine the normal range of shock index (SI), blood pressure (BP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) among postpartum women in a low-resource setting. In a prospective cohort study, vital signs were recorded 1hour after delivery among postpartum women with normal blood loss who delivered in Abakaliki, Nigeria, from April to July 2019. Among 225 women, the median (95% reference range) was 120 (100-155.8), 70 (60-94), and 90 (66.5-116.6) mmHg for systolic BP, diastolic BP, and MAP, respectively; 82 (65-102) bpm for HR; and 0.69 (0.48-0.89) for SI. The upper SI limit of 0.89 supported the current value of 0.9 as the upper limit; however, the lower SI limit of 0.48 corresponded to the current lower limit for a non-obstetric population (0.5). The SI of more than half of the study women (n=126; 56.0%) was within the normal range for non-obstetric women (0.5-0.7). Although hemodynamic changes in pregnancy widen the SI range, 56.0% of women maintained SI within the non-obstetric reference range. In low-resource settings, the current normal obstetric SI range of 0.7-0.9 should be revised to 0.5-0.9 to accommodate this lower threshold.

Sepsis in obstetrics and gynecology

Despite certain advances in modern medicine, the incidence of inflammatory diseases in women does not decrease, and infectious complications continue to occupy a leading place in the structure of obstetric and gynecological pathology. Moreover, the incidence of such dangerous complications as septic shock tends to increase. Over the past 25 years, the definition of sepsis and septic shock has changed three times; an international intensive care protocol is updated every four years with the participation of dozens of leading organizations and experts. Thus, the urgency of the problem is obvious and requires from doctors of all specialty’s modern knowledge on early detection and timely, early targeted therapy for sepsis and septic shock in obstetrics.

The impact of maternal anemia and labor on the obstetric Shock Index in women in a developing country.

The Shock Index is a clinical tool to evaluate the hemodynamic status during hemorrhage. The impact of labor and pre-existing anaemia is unknown. The objective was to describe and discuss its clinical utility in this context. This was a prospective cross-sectional study. The Shock Index (ratio between heart rate and systolic blood pressure) was measured in pregnant women at term, before or during labor. They were stratified according to the presence of anemia. The median Shock Index was significantly lower in women in labor than in those not in labor (0.72 (IQR: 0.64-0.83) vs. 0.85 (IQR: 0.80-0.94); p < 0.001). In women in labor, the Shock Index was not significantly different if anemia was present (0.72 (0.63-0.83) vs. 0.73 (0.65-0.82); p = 0.67). Values of the Shock Index are affected by labor, which may hinder its utility in identifying hemorrhage during this period. However, the values were not altered by maternal anaemia. Therefore, an abnormal postpartum Shock Index should not be attributed to an abnormal antepartum Shock Index due to mild/moderate anemia.

Procedure for specialized anesthesium-renamatological assistance in case of massive obstetric bleeding

The clinical protocol outlines the procedure for the provision of specialized anesthesia-resuscitation assistance in the case of massive obstetric hemorrhages, adopted in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation of the Ott. Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology. The protocol emphasizes that the provision of full-fledged assistance with massive obstetric hemorrhages and hemorrhagic shock (GSH) is possible only in conditions of deployed operating room. The recommendations on the implementation of infusion-transfusion therapy (ITT), including venous access and the composition of ITT, on the use of vasoactive therapy, the choice of the method of anesthesia and drugs for its conduct. Other pharmacotherapy with GSH is indicated, including the features of the application of uterotonic drugs. The tactics of respiratory support, as well as the volume of hardware and laboratory monitoring, are presented. Recommendations for the management of patients in the post-shock period are given. The effectiveness of this clinical protocol is confirmed by many years of practice of the department.

An update on the risk factors for and management of obstetric haemorrhage.

Obstetric haemorrhage is associated with increased risk of serious maternal morbidity and mortality. Postpartum haemorrhage is the commonest form of obstetric haemorrhage, and worldwide, a woman dies due to massive postpartum haemorrhage approximately every 4 min. In addition, many experience serious morbidity such as multi-organ failure, complications of multiple blood transfusions, peripartum hysterectomy and unintended damage to pelvic organs, loss of fertility and psychological sequelae, including posttraumatic stress disorders. Anticipation of massive postpartum haemorrhage, prompt recognition of the cause and institution of timely and appropriate measures to control bleeding and replacement of the lost blood volume and restoration of oxygen carrying capacity (i.e. haemoglobin) and correction of the ‘washout phenomenon’ leading to coagulopathy will help save lives. Obstetric shock index may help in avoidance of underestimation of blood loss and the use of tranexamic acid, oxytocics and timely peripartum hysterectomy, if appropriate, will help save lives. Triple P procedure has been recently developed as the conservative surgical alternative for women with abnormal invasion of the placenta and has been shown to significantly reduce the blood loss and to reduce inpatient stay.

Maternal age and severe maternal morbidity: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

BackgroundOne of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals of 2000 was to reduce maternal mortality by 75% in 15 y; however, this challenge was not met by many industrialized countries. As average maternal age continues to rise in these countries, associated potentially life-threatening severe maternal morbidity has been understudied. Our primary objective was to examine the associations between maternal age and severe maternal morbidities. The secondary objective was to compare these associations with those for adverse fetal/infant outcomes.Methods and findingsThis was a population-based retrospective cohort study, including all singleton births to women residing in Washington State, US, 1 January 2003–31 December 2013 (n = 828,269).We compared age-specific rates of maternal mortality/severe morbidity (e.g., obstetric shock) and adverse fetal/infant outcomes (e.g., perinatal death). Logistic regression was used to adjust for parity, body mass index, assisted conception, and other potential confounders. We compared crude odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs (AORs) and risk differences and their 95% CIs.Severe maternal morbidity was significantly higher among teenage mothers than among those 25–29 y (crude OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.5–1.6) and increased exponentially with maternal age over 39 y, from OR = 1.2 (95% CI 1.2–1.3) among women aged 35–39 y to OR = 5.4 (95% CI 2.4–12.5) among women aged ≥50 y. The elevated risk of severe morbidity among teen mothers disappeared after adjustment for confounders, except for maternal sepsis (AOR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.4). Adjusted rates of severe morbidity remained increased among mothers ≥35 y, namely, the rates of amniotic fluid embolism (AOR = 8.0, 95% CI 2.7–23.7) and obstetric shock (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.6) among mothers ≥40 y, and renal failure (AOR = 15.9, 95% CI 4.8–52.0), complications of obstetric interventions (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI 2.3–9.5), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission (AOR = 4.8, 95% CI 2.0–11.9) among those 45–49 y. The adjusted risk difference in severe maternal morbidity compared to mothers 25–29 y was 0.9% (95% CI 0.7%–1.2%) for mothers 40–44 y, 1.6% (95% CI 0.7%–2.8%) for mothers 45–49 y, and 6.4% for mothers ≥50 y (95% CI 1.7%–18.2%). Similar associations were observed for fetal and infant outcomes; neonatal mortality was elevated in teen mothers (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.7), while mothers over 29 y had higher risk of stillbirth. The rate of severe maternal morbidity among women over 49 y was higher than the rate of mortality/serious morbidity of their offspring. Despite the large sample size, statistical power was insufficient to examine the association between maternal age and maternal death or very rare severe morbidities.ConclusionsMaternal age-specific incidence of severe morbidity varied by outcome. Older women (≥40 y) had significantly elevated rates of some of the most severe, potentially life-threatening morbidities, including renal failure, shock, acute cardiac morbidity, serious complications of obstetric interventions, and ICU admission. These results should improve counselling to women who contemplate delaying childbirth until their forties and provide useful information to their health care providers. This information is also useful for preventive strategies to lower maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in developed countries.

Invasive malplacentation of lower uterine segment in first trimester patient with obstetric shock development

We present a case of invasive malplacenta-tion of the lower uterine segment found in a first trimester, 38-year old woman following curettage for missed abortion. Uncontrolled hemorrhage and obstetric hemorrhagic shock developed, resulting in abdominal hysterectomy, with resuscitation. The pa-tient made a full recovery.

Textbook of Obstetrics by JB Sharma

Textbook of Obstetrics by JB Sharma

Blood loss in obstetrics, hemorrhagic shock: obstetricians and gynecologists tactics

The key aspects of diagnostics and treatment of obstetric hemorrhage and hemorrhagic shock are present in this article. Treatment of obstetric hemorrhage, including hemorrhagic shock is more effective if the infusion therapy initiated as early as possible. The basic aims of infusion therapy are support of systemic circulation and recovery of tissue perfusion. Crystalloids, colloids and blood preparations are used as an infusion-transfusion therapy. To date, there is a great experience with colloidal preparations, among which the most widely used drugs are hydroxyethylated starch and gelatin preparations.

A New Protocol for Determining Intervention with Trans-Catheter Arterial Embolization or Surgical Hemostasis for Obstetric Hemorrhage

Objectives: The aim of this study is to introduce protocols for choosing trans-arterial embolization (TAE) or surgical hemostasis as an initial therapy for obstetric hemorrhage. Materials and Methods: From 2002 to 2011 at our hospital, the medical records of the patients who underwent TAE or surgical hemostasis for obstetric hemorrhage were reviewed to assess the following data: The causes of obstetric hemorrhage, Shock Index (SI) and obstetrical disseminated intra-vascular coagulation (DIC) score, amount of bleeding, transfusion, and operation time. Results: Twenty-five patients underwent TAE and six underwent surgical hemostasis. SI and obstetrical DIC score of the TAE group were 1.0 (0.4 - 2.2) and 6.0 (1 - 32), respectively. They were significantly lower than those of the surgical hemostasis group (SI: 1.6, obstetrical DIC score: 12.5, p < 0.05). Though the hemorrhage could be controlled sufficiently in 23 cases of the TAE group, 5 cases went into shock during TAE. The SI and obstetrical DIC score of shock group were 1.2 (1 - 2) and 10 (2 - 32), respectively. Conclusion: Though TAE is a useful therapy to control obstetric inevitable hemorrhage, special attention should be paid to the vital signs during TAE, especially in cases where SI and/or obstetrical DIC score are higher than 1.2 and 10, respectively.