Prise en charge initiale par l’anesthésiste-réanimateur d’une hémorragie du post-partum dans les suites d’un accouchement par voie basse

Circulation first - the time has come to question the sequencing of care in the ABCs of trauma; an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter trial

Background

The traditional sequence of trauma care: Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABC) has been practiced for many years. It became the standard of care despite the lack of scientific evidence. We hypothesized that patients in hypovolemic shock would have comparable outcomes with initiation of bleeding treatment (transfusion) prior to intubation (CAB), compared to those patients treated with the traditional ABC sequence.

Methods

This study was sponsored by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter trials committee. We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients that presented to trauma centers with presumptive hypovolemic shock indicated by pre-hospital or emergency department hypotension and need for intubation from January 1, 2014 to July 1, 2016. Data collected included demographics, timing of intubation, vital signs before and after intubation, timing of the blood transfusion initiation related to intubation, and outcomes.

Results

From 440 patients that met inclusion criteria, 245 (55.7%) received intravenous blood product resuscitation first (CAB), and 195 (44.3%) were intubated before any resuscitation was started (ABC). There was no difference in ISS, mechanism, or comorbidities. Those intubated prior to receiving transfusion had a lower GCS than those with transfusion initiation prior to intubation (ABC: 4, CAB:9, p = 0.005). Although mortality was high in both groups, there was no statistically significant difference (CAB 47% and ABC 50%). In multivariate analysis, initial SBP and initial GCS were the only independent predictors of death.

Conclusion

The current study highlights that many trauma centers are already initiating circulation first prior to intubation when treating hypovolemic shock (CAB), even in patients with a low GCS. This practice was not associated with an increased mortality. Further prospective investigation is warranted.

Trial registration

IRB approval number: HM20006627. Retrospective trial not registered.

[Anesthetic management of severe or worsening postpartum hemorrhage]

INTRODUCTION

Risk factors of maternal morbidity and mortality during postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) include non-optimal anesthetic management. As the anesthetic management of the initial phase is addressed elsewhere, the current chapter is dedicated to the management of severe PPH.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using PubMed and Medline databases, and the Cochrane Library, for articles published from 2003 up to and including 2013. Several keywords related to anesthetic and critical care practice, and obstetrical management were used, in various combinations. Guidelines from several societies and organisations were also read.

RESULTS

When PPH worsens, one should ask for additional team personnel (professional consensus). Patients should be monitored for heart rate, blood pressure, skin and mucosal pallor, bleeding at skin puncture sites, diuresis and the volume of genital bleeding (grade B). Because of the possible rapid worsening of coagulapathy, patients should undergo regular evaluation of coagulation status (professional consensus). Prevention and management of hypothermia should be considered (professional consensus), by warming intravenous fluids and blood products, and by active body warming (grade C). Antibiotics should be given, if not already administered at the initial phase (professional consensus). Vascular fluids must be given (grade B), the choice being left at the physician discretion. Blood products transfusion should be decided based on the clinical severity of PPH (professional consensus). Priority is given to red blood cells (RBC) transfusion, with the aim to maintain Hb concentration>8g/dL. The first round of products could include 3 units of RBC (professional consensus), and the following round 3 units of RBC, and 3 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP). The FFP:RBC ratio should be kept between 1:2 and 1:1 (professional consensus). Depending on the etiology of PPH, the early administration of FFP is left at the discretion of the physician (professional consensus). Platelet count should be maintained at>50 G/L (professional consensus). During massive PPH, fibrinogen concentration should be maintained at>2g/L (professional consensus). Fibrinogen can be given without prior fibrinogen measurement in case of massive bleeding (professional consensus). General anesthesia should be considered in case of hemodynamic instability, even when an epidural catheter is in place (professional consensus).

CONCLUSION

The anesthetic management aims to restore and maintain optimal respiratory state and circulation, to treat coagulation disorders, and to allow invasive obstetrical and radiologic procedures. Clinical and instrumental monitoring are needed to evaluate the severity of PPH, to guide the choice of therapeutic options, and to assess treatments efficacy.