Transfusion Medicine in a Multidisciplinary Approach to Morbidly Adherent Placenta: Preparing for and Preventing the Worst

Relationship between the Prenatal Diagnosis of Placenta Acreta Spectrum and Lower Use of Blood Components

OBJECTIVE

 To describe the clinical results of patients admitted and managed as cases of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) at a Central American public hospital and the influence of the prenatal diagnosis on the condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 A retrospective analysis of PAS patients treated at Hospital Bertha Calderón Roque, in Managua, Nicaragua, between June 2017 and September 2021. The diagnostic criteria used were those of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique, FIGO, in French). The population was divided into patients with a prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of PAS (group 1) and those whose the diagnosis of PAS was established at the time of the caesarean section (group 2).

RESULTS

 During the search, we found 103 cases with a histological and/or clinical diagnosis of PAS; groups 1 and 2 were composed of 51 and 52 patients respectively. Regarding the clinical results of both groups, the patients in group 1 presented a lower frequency of transfusions (56.9% versus 96.1% in group 2), use of a lower number of red blood cell units (RBCUs) among those undergoing transfusions (median: 1; interquartile range: [IQR]: 0-4 versus median: 3; [IQR]: 2-4] in group 2), and lower frequency of 4 or more RBCU transfusions (29.4% versus 46.1% in group 2). Group 1 also exhibited a non-significant trend toward a lower volume of blood loss (1,000 mL [IQR]: 750-2,000 mL versus 1,500 mL [IQR]: 1,200-1,800 mL in group 2), and lower requirement of pelvic packing (1.9% versus 7.7% in group 2).

CONCLUSION

 Establishing a prenatal diagnosis of PAS is related to a lower frequency of transfusions. We observed a high frequency of prenatal diagnostic failures of PAS. It is a priority to improve prenatal detection of this disease.

Placenta percreta invading left broad ligament in a woman with twin pregnancy: A case report

Introduction

and importance: Placenta percreta is an abnormal of placentation disorder that causes firm and deep attachment of placenta into myometrium due to absent decidua basalis and leads to significant morbidity and mortality due to severe hemorrhage.

Presentation of case

A 28-year, old women gravida 2 para 1 + 0 with previous one Lower segment caesarean section (LSCS), presented to emergency department of HFH with complaint of per vaginal bleeding. It was a twin pregnancy and was a rare case of complex placenta percreta with invasion into left broad ligament and urinary bladder in a woman having twin pregnancy. Placental invasion into bladder was diagnosed pre-operatively on USG scan, however; the broad ligament involvement was diagnosed intraoperatively. Patient underwent hysterectomy and internal iliac artery ligation to control hemorrhage soon after delivery of twins with T2 being IUD and patient shifted to ventilatory support but unfortunately due to massive hemorrhage and hemodynamic instability patient did not survive.

Discussion

Placenta percreta is a subtype of placenta accreta spectrum disorder that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality depending upon nature and extent of placental invasion. Preoperative diagnosis and management can be of significant value in preventing obstetrics related morbidity. A multidisciplinary approach is required in management of such cases and due to involvement of surrounding structures including urinary bladder.

Conclusion

Placenta percreta is a rare disorder of placentation that poses significant life-threatening risk of bleeding and maternal mortality and multidisciplinary approach can be of benefit in such cases.

Whole blood transfusion reduces overall component transfusion in cases of placenta accreta spectrum: a pilot program

OBJECTIVE

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a group of placental invasion pathologies associated with significant morbidity to both mother and fetus. The majority of patients with PAS will require a blood transfusion at time of delivery and subsequent cesarean hysterectomy. The optimal approach to maternal acute blood loss resuscitation is currently unknown.

METHODS

Here, we present a cohort analysis of 34 patients with pathology-confirmed PAS treated with either whole blood (n = 16) or component therapy (n = 18) for initial intraoperative resuscitation.

RESULTS

We observed comparable results in post-operative outcomes with fewer overall transfusions and subsequently, lower volumes of resuscitation (p=.03) with whole blood initial resuscitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Whole blood transfusion may represent a viable option for initial resuscitation with lower resuscitation volumes and transfusion-associated complications without directly effecting post-operative outcomes in cases of PAS.

Development and validation of nomograms for predicting blood loss in placenta previa with placenta increta or percreta

Background

To develop the risk prediction model of intraoperative massive blood loss in placenta previa with placenta increta or percreta.

Methods

This study included 260 patients, of whom 179 were allocated to the development group and 81 to the validation group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify characteristics that were associated with massive blood loss (≥2,500 mL) during cesarean section. A nomogram was constructed based on regression coefficients. Receiver-operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analyses were applied to assess the discrimination, calibration, and performance of the model.

Results

Two models were constructed. The preoperative feature model (model A) consisted of vascular lacunae within the placenta and hypervascularity of the uterine-placental margin, uterine serosa-bladder wall interface, and cervix. The preoperative and surgical feature model (model B) consisted of an emergency cesarean section, no preoperative balloon placement of the abdominal aorta, and the previously mentioned four ultrasound signs. Model B had better discrimination than model A (area under the curve: development group: 0.839 vs. 0.732; validation group: 0.829 vs. 0.736). Model B showed a higher area under the decision curve than model A in both the training and validation groups.

Conclusions

The preoperative and surgical feature model for placenta previa with placenta increta or percreta can improve the early identification and management of patients who are at high risk of intraoperative massive blood loss.

A systematic multidisciplinary initiative may reduce the need for blood products in patients with abnormally invasive placenta

Introduction: The main complication of the abnormally invasive placenta is massive bleeding, with transfusions required frequently. We aim to evaluate the impact of interdisciplinary management on transfusion practices in women with abnormally invasive placenta.Methodology: Clinical outcomes of women with abnormally invasive placenta treated between 2011 and 2019 were reviewed, including transfusion frequency. Patients divided into three groups: group A (women treated before the introduction of interdisciplinary management), group B (women attended to by a fixed interdisciplinary group), and group C (women with no accreta prenatal diagnosis).Results: Patients with prenatal diagnosis and attended by a fixed interdisciplinary group (group B) required fewer units of red blood cells to be prepared and transfused (median number of units, 0 versus 2 in group A and 3 in group C).Conclusion: The participation of an interdisciplinary group, with strict standards for transfusion, reduces the frequency of use of blood substitutes during the care of women with abnormally invasive placenta.