Update on volume therapy in obstetrics

Placenta accreta complicated with peripartum cardiomyopathy

A 33-year-old G2P1 was referred to our hospital due to placenta accreta. During perioperative preparations, the patient was diagnosed with having a peripartum cardiomyopathy. The patient underwent caesarean hysterectomy at 36 weeks with an associated 2 L blood loss. Haemodynamic maintenance and stabilisation during the operation were challenging, with the combinations of fluid therapy, blood transfusions as well as vasoactive, antifibrinolytic and haemostatic drug. Postoperatively, the patient was managed in the intensive care unit and was subsequently transferred to intermediate care after less than 24 hours' observation. She was stable enough to be moved to the obstetrics ward the next day.

Intrapartum intravenous fluids for caesarean delivery and newborn weight loss: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To examine weight loss (WL) and excess weight loss (EWL) among newborns of caesarean delivery, comparing colloids plus crystalloids versus crystalloids only. Also, to examine different doses of intrapartum intravenous fluids on WL and EWL.

DESIGN

Comparative safety retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

University Teaching Hospital, Moncton, Canada.

PATIENTS

Mothers exposed to intravenous fluids with caesarean delivery between 2008 and 2016.

INTERVENTIONS

Exposure to colloids plus crystalloids was compared with crystalloids only, and dose-response analyses were performed for colloids, crystalloids and total intravenous fluids doses. Linear and logistic regression models were used, adjusting for potential confounders.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Infants' WL was measured at days 1, 2 and 3 post partum, and EWL defined as loss of >7% of birth weight.

RESULTS

From 801 mother-infant pairs, 176 were exposed to colloids plus crystalloids and 625 were exposed to crystalloids only (overall mean birth weight=3416 g, EWL=2%, 41.4% and 55.5% on days 1, 2 and 3, respectively). No significant difference in newborns' WL was observed on any of the days assessed. Adjusted OR (95% CI) of EWL was 1.0 (0.3 to 3.3) at 24 hours, 1.0 (0.7 to 1.5) at 48 hours and 1.4 (0.9 to 2.2) at 72 hours. No dose-response relationship was detected with type-specific and total intravenous fluids exposures.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of EWL was similar with colloids plus crystalloids and crystalloids only, suggesting that both therapeutic options can be considered during caesarean delivery. The absence of dose-response relationships adds confirmatory evidence to the intravenous fluids safety profiles.