Pregnancy and lactation during long-term total parenteral nutrition: A case report and literature review

A Detailed Review of Critical Care Considerations for the Pregnant Cardiac Patient

Maternal cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of maternal death worldwide and recently, maternal mortality has increased secondary to cardiovascular causes. Maternal admissions to critical care encompass 1%-2% of all critical care admissions, and although not common, the management of the critically ill pregnant patient is complex. Caring for the critically ill pregnant cardiac patient requires integration of pregnancy-associated physiologic changes, understanding pathophysiologic disease states unique to pregnancy, and a multidisciplinary approach to timing around delivery as well as antenatal and postpartum care. Herein we describe cardiorespiratory changes that occur during pregnancy and the differential diagnosis for cardiorespiratory failure in pregnancy. Cardiorespiratory diseases that are either associated or exacerbated by pregnancy are highlighted with emphasis on perturbations secondary to pregnancy and appropriate management strategies. Finally, we describe general management of the pregnant cardiac patient admitted to critical care.

Management Considerations for Recalcitrant Hyperemesis

Importance

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HEG) affects 0.3% to 3% of pregnancies and requires additional therapies beyond those commonly used for less severe instances of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP). Differentiating between NVP and HEG is a vital yet challenging function for any obstetrician. The literature for management of HEG is lacking compared with that of NVP.

Objective

Review etiology of NVP/HEG highlights key considerations in the workup of HEG as they compare to NVP and explore management options for recalcitrant HEG focusing principally on how they affect maternal and fetal outcomes and secondarily on where data are nonprescriptive.

Evidence Acquisition

This was a literature review primarily using PubMed and Google Scholar.

Results

Short-course corticosteroids and treatment for Helicobacter pylori have the most favorable risk-reward profiles of the 4 pharmacologic therapies evaluated. Mirtazapine and diazepam may have a place in highly selected patients. If nutritional supplementation is required, enteral nutrition is strictly preferred to parenteral nutrition. Postpyloric feeding approaches are less likely to induce vomiting. Surgically placed feeding tubes are less likely to be dislodged and may be worth the invasive insertion procedure if nasogastric or nasojejunal tubes are not tolerated.

Conclusions and Relevance

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a diagnosis reserved for refractory cases of NVP and therefore by definition poses treatment challenges. Any clinical presentation that lent itself to prescriptive, algorithmic management would likely fall short of the diagnostic criteria for HEG. However, data can inform management on a patient-by-patient basis or at least help patient and provider understand risks and benefits of therapies reserved for refractory cases.