Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2024;46:e-rbgo47
In Brazil, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Data on the profile of women and risk factors associated with PPH are sparse. This study aimed to describe the profile and management of patients with PPH, and the association of risk factors for PPH with severe maternal outcomes (SMO).
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP) obstetric intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2012 and March 2020, including patients who gave birth at the hospital and that were admitted with PPH to the ICU.
The study included 358 patients, of whom 245 (68.4%) delivered in the IMIP maternity, and 113 (31.6%) in other maternity. The mean age of the patients was 26.7 years, with up to eight years of education (46.1%) and a mean of six prenatal care. Uterine atony (72.9%) was the most common cause, 1.6% estimated blood loss, 2% calculated shock index (SI), 63.9% of patients received hemotransfusion, and 27% underwent hysterectomy. 136 cases of SMO were identified, 35.5% were classified as maternal near miss and 3.0% maternal deaths. Multiparity was associated with SMO as an antepartum risk factor (RR=1.83, 95% CI1.42-2.36). Regarding intrapartum risk factors, abruptio placentae abruption was associated with SMO (RR=2.2 95% CI1.75-2.81). Among those who had hypertension (49.6%) there was a lower risk of developing SMO.
The principal factors associated with poor maternal outcome were being multiparous and placental abruption.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2024;46:e-rbgo53
To evaluate the risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) according to the Robson Classification in a low-risk maternity hospital.
We conducted retrospective cohort study by analyzing the medical records of pregnant women attended in a low-risk maternity hospital, during from November 2019 to November 2021. Variables analyzed were: maternal age, type of delivery, birth weight, parity, Robson Classification, and causes of PPH. We compared the occurrence of PPH between pregnant women with spontaneous (Groups 1 and 3) and with induction of labor (2a and 4a). Chi-square and Student t-tests were performed. Variables were compared using binary logistic regression.
There were 11,935 deliveries during the study period. According to Robson’s Classification, 48.2% were classified as 1 and 3 (Group I: 5,750/11,935) and 26.1% as 2a and 4a (Group II: 3,124/11,935). Group II had higher prevalence of PPH than Group I (3.5 vs. 2.7%, p=0.028). Labor induction increased the occurrence of PPH by 18.8% (RR: 1.188, 95% CI: 1.02-1.36, p=0.030). Model including forceps delivery [x2(3)=10.6, OR: 7.26, 95%CI: 3.32-15.84, R2 Nagelkerke: 0.011, p<0.001] and birth weight [x2(4)=59.0, OR: 1.001, 95%CI:1.001-1.001, R2 Nagelkerke: 0.033, p<0.001] was the best for predicting PPH in patients classified as Robson 1, 3, 2a, and 4a. Birth weight was poor predictor of PPH (area under ROC curve: 0.612, p<0.001, 95%CI: 0.572-0.653).
Robson Classification 2a and 4a showed the highest rates of postpartum hemorrhage. The model including forceps delivery and birth weight was the best predictor for postpartum hemorrhage in Robson Classification 1, 3, 2a, and 4a.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2024;46:e-rbgo14
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal death globally. Therefore, prevention strategies have been created. The study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of PPH and its risk factors after implementing a risk stratification at admission in a teaching hospital.
A retrospective cohort involving a database of SISMATER® electronic medical record. Classification in low, medium, or high risk for PPH was performed through data filled out by the obstetrician-assistant. PPH frequency was calculated, compared among these groups and associated with the risk factors.
The prevalence of PPH was 6.8%, 131 among 1,936 women. Sixty-eight (51.9%) of them occurred in the high-risk group, 30 (22.9%) in the medium-risk and 33 (25.2%) in the low-risk group. The adjusted-odds ratio (OR) for PPH were analyzed using a confidence interval (95% CI) and was significantly higher in who presented multiple pregnancy (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.28 to 6.49), active bleeding on admission (OR 6.12, 95% CI 1.20 to 4.65), non-cephalic presentation (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.20 to 4.65), retained placenta (OR 9.39, 95% CI 2.90 to 30.46) and placental abruption (OR 6.95, 95% CI 2.06 to 23.48). Vaginal delivery figured out as a protective factor (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.98).
Prediction of PPH is still a challenge since its unpredictable factor arrangements. The fact that the analysis did not demonstrate a relationship between risk category and frequency of PPH could be attributable to the efficacy of the strategy: Women classified as "high-risk" received adequate medical care, consequently.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2021;43(9):648-654
To identify how health providers recognize postpartum hemorrhage early and the difficulties involved in it.
An exploratory, descriptive study using a qualitative approach through a semi-structured interview technique. In total, 27 health professionals (nursing tech nicians, nurses, medical residents in Gynecology and Obstetrics, hired medical doctors, and medicine professors) working in a tertiary-level hospital of reference in women’s health care in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, participated in the study through an invitation. After they accepted the invitation, they signed the free and informed consent form. All interviews were recorded and transcribed, and a thematic analysis was conducted. We found three analysis categories: a) perception of the severity: “there is something wrong with the women”; b) difficulties in the early diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage; and c) the process to improve obstetrical care.
Caregivers believe teamwork and communication should be improved. Besides the visual estimation of blood loss, the nursing team is attentive to behavioral symptoms like irritability, while the medical staff follow protocols and look for objective signs, such as altered vital signs.
Besides the objective evaluations, the subjective perceptions of the providers are involved in the clinical judgement regarding the diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage, and this should be included in a broader diagnosis strategy.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2021;43(9):655-661
To describe the clinical experience with the B-Lynch technique in the management of postpartum hemorrhage as well as the factors related to the indication of the technique and to present the success rates of the application of the B-Lynch technique.
Observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, and analytical study. Patient data was obtained through the study of medical records. The study population comprised of patients who underwent hemostatic suture using the B-Lynch technique, including 104 patients within the period from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2019.
Of the total of 104 patients, 82.7% did not present any complications. Blood transfusion and intensive care unit admission were the most prevalent complications, with 13.5% and 15.4%, respectively. Only 1% of the patients had puerperal and surgical site infections. The factors most related to the application of the technique were the presence of previous cesarean section (30.8%), use of oxytocin (16.3%), and pre-eclampsia (11.6%). Puerperal hysterectomy was performed in 4.8% of the patients due to failure of the method.
The clinical experience with the B-Lynch technique was satisfactory since it presented few complications, with excellent results in hemorrhagic control. Previous cesarean section, the use of oxytocin, and preeclampsia stood out as factors related to the indication of the application of the technique, and the success rate in controlling postpartum hemorrhage was 95.2%.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2021;43(2):113-118
To identify risk factors related to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and severe PPH with blood loss quantified objectively.
This is a complementary analysis of a prospective cohort study that included pregnant women delivering vaginally. The total blood loss was obtained through the sum of the volume collected from the drape with the weight of gauzes, compresses and pads used by women within 2 hours. Exploratory data analysis was performed to assess mean, standard deviation (SD), frequency, percentage and percentiles. The risk factors for postpartum bleeding were evaluated using linear and logistic regression.
We included 270 women. Themean blood loss at 120 minutes was 427.49 mL (±335.57 mL). Thirty-one percent (84 women) bled > 500mL and 8.2% (22 women) bled > 1,000 mL within 2 hours. Episiotomy, longer second stage of labor and forceps delivery were related to blood loss > 500mL within 2 hours, in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only forceps remained associated with bleeding > 500 mL within 2 hours (odds ratio [OR] = 9.5 [2.85-31.53]). Previous anemia and episiotomy were also related to blood loss > 1,000mL.
Prolonged second stage of labor, forceps and episiotomy are related to increased incidence of PPH, and should be used as an alert for the delivery assistants for early recognition and prompt treatment for PPH.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2021;43(1):3-8
To determine the indications and outcomes of peripartum hysterectomies performed at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (a university hospital in Southern Brazil) during the past 15 years, and to analyze the clinical characteristics of the women submitted to this procedure.
A cross-sectional study of 47 peripartum hysterectomies from 2005 to 2019.
The peripartum hysterectomies performed in our hospital were indicated mainly due to placenta accreta or suspicion thereof (44.7% of the cases), puerperal hemorrhage without placenta accreta (27.7%), and infection (25.5%). Total hysterectomies accounted for 63.8% of the cases, andwefound no differencebetween total versus subtotal hysterectomies in the studied outcomes. Most hysterectomies were performed within 24 hours after delivery, and they were associated with placenta accreta, placenta previa, and older maternal age.
Most (66.0%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Those who did not need it were significantly older, and had more placenta accreta, placenta previa, or previous Cesarean delivery.