Impact of the new French clinical practice recommendations in embolization in postpartum and post-abortion hemorrhage: study of 48 cases

[Lessons and impact of two audits on postpartum hemorrhages in 24 maternity hospitals of the network "Sécurité Naissance - Naître Ensemble" in "Pays-de-la-Loire" area]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study is to assess the compliance rate of treatment of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) according to guidelines developed by the CNGOF within our network by a first audit, and evaluate the impact of this first audit by conducting a second audit.

METHODS

An initial audit of resources and management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) was conducted in 2006-2008 in 24 maternity hospitals of the Pays-de-la-Loire. The audit had identified six areas for improvement. A second audit was implemented in 2009-2010 to evaluate the actions of prevention and measure changes in the management of PPH. Two interns have distributed the 24 maternity homes and moved in each hospital to see 10 cases of vaginal delivery (VD) (section "Prevention"), and the last cases of PPH following a VD. The results are in compliance rate compared to the repository of the HAS in 2004.

RESULTS

The first audit was conducted on 101 PPH in total. It has allowed us to propose corrective actions to the 24 maternity hospitals: leaf specific monitoring, reporting amounts of blood loss, transfusion on these clinical criteria without waiting for the blood cell counts, indicating more frequent and rapid sulprostone, set for maternity hospitals without surgical skill an agreement with a visceral surgery department, and avoid maternal transfers for PPH. For the second audit, the compliance rate of the preventive aspect was 73% (95: 71-75%) of 239 cases of BA with variations according to maternity from 48 to 93%. Compliance rates according to the criteria were: 99% obstetric consultations, 98% for anesthesia, 92% for hemoglobin, 77% for the group card available in the record, 89% agglutinins, 35% for the notification of the installation of bag, 36% for the notification of the amount of blood lost, 69% for the supervisor within two hours, and 64% for the directed delivery. For component "Support", the overall compliance rate was 81% (95: 79-83%) of 118 PPH AVB, and 85% in the 71 uterine atonies in 21 pregnancies (3 had no HPP during the period) with variations according to maternity from 51 to 93%. Conformities compared with the first audit were: improvement of time noted PPH (66 and 85%), initiation of a leaf-specific monitoring (0% and 87%), equivalence of appeals responders (86 and 88%), improving the amount of blood noted (51 and 67%), equivalent to the practice of evacuation of retained placenta (88 and 91%), decreased prescription of antibiotics (83 and 71%). For only uterine atony (n=71), there was a slight improvement in the prescription of sulprostone within 30 minutes (53 and 58%), and improved decision within 2 hours (47 and 69%). Finally, there was no connection rates in the two components (r=0.32, p=0.15). Criteria associated with good compliance were calculated.

CONCLUSION

There is a general improvement in prevention and care, with critical points and persistent disparities between pregnancies. In the aftermath of the completion of the audit, the overall results were sent to officials with the rank of each maternity, inviting each responsible to analyze weaknesses and implement corrective actions. Further action is planned within the network.

Predictors of failed pelvic arterial embolization for severe postpartum hemorrhage

OBJECTIVES

To estimate what factors are associated with a failed pelvic arterial embolization for postpartum hemorrhage and to attempt to estimate efficacy of pelvic arterial embolization in rare conditions.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study including all consecutive women who underwent pelvic arterial embolization trial for postpartum hemorrhage between 1994 and 2007 at a tertiary care center. Pelvic arterial embolization failure was defined as the requirement for subsequent surgical procedure to control postpartum hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Pelvic arterial embolization was attempted in 0.3% of deliveries by the same radiologist in 87% of cases. Failures occurred in 11 of 100 cases (11%) and in 4 of 17 cases (24%) of placenta accreta or percreta. The major complication rate after pelvic arterial embolization was low (3%). Fifty patients (50%) were transferred from nine other institutions. Pelvic arterial embolization was performed in 11 cases (11%) after a failed conservative surgical procedure and in eight cases (8%) for secondary postpartum hemorrhage, with success rates of 91% and 88%, respectively. Pelvic arterial embolization demonstrated a patency throughout one ligated pedicle in 9 of the 11 cases of failed conservative surgical procedure (82%). Twin pregnancy, chorioamnionitis, operative vaginal delivery, hospital-to-hospital transfer, nature of embolizing agent and arteries embolized, failed surgical procedure, secondary postpartum hemorrhage, cause of postpartum hemorrhage, and more than one pelvic arterial embolization were not found to be significantly associated with failed pelvic arterial embolization.

CONCLUSION

The only factors significantly associated with failed pelvic arterial embolization were a higher rate of estimated blood loss (more than 1,500 mL) and more than 5 transfused red blood cell units. Attempted pelvic arterial embolization after a failed vessel ligation procedure and for a secondary postpartum hemorrhage is a good option with high success rates.

[Impact of a new regional management for postpartum hemorrhages by an audit of severe cases: a before and after study (2002-2005)]

BACKGROUND

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is still the first cause of maternal mortality in France. Most of these cases include inappropriate management. In 2004, regional guidelines were diffused to all the birthplaces in Basse-Normandie. To assess the impact of this regional management, an epidemiological study "before-after" (2002-2005) has been performed. Part of this study was the evaluation of the management of severe PPH.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the quality of care for major PPH and the correct follow-up of the guidelines before and after 2004.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A clinical audit has been conducted in all the birthplaces from the region to assess the management of all severe PPH identified during 2002 and 2005. PPH were considered as severe when they presented one or more of the following: blood transfusion, uterine embolisation, hemostatic surgery, difference in hemoglobin rates greater than 4 g / dl, or maternal death. All of these cases have been analysed except those defined by hemoglobin difference. Assessment has been carried out by pairs of practitioners (obstetrician and anesthetist) blinded to the origin of the case. Criteria assessed were the quality of care for major PPH, the correct follow-up of the guidelines and the degree of severity of the PPH which was estimated as moderate or severe on clinical arguments.

RESULTS

The number of severe PPH was 34 in 2002 and 63 in 2005. The quality of care was increased with rates of inadequate management falling from 32 to 13% (p < 0,02), respectively. The follow-up of the guidelines was correct in the whole area, most of the criteria having been respected in about 90% of cases in 2005. However, active management of the third stage of delivery was only conducted in 71% of cases. The rates of severe PPH were not significantly different between 2002 (44%) and 2005 (38%).

CONCLUSION

The originality from this study is that the modifications of the practices were conducted at a regional level in order to enhance the management of PPH. The assessment which was performed showed that quality of care was improved all over the area but that there is still place to progress.

Obstetric and gynecologic emergencies: a review of indications and interventional techniques

There are many interventional techniques that can be used to aid the obstetrician or gynecologist in caring for their patients in the acute setting. Embolization can be life saving in the case of postpartum hemorrhage. Bleeding related to cervical cancer or the threat of bleeding from cervical ectopic pregnancy is amenable to embolization as is hemorrhage related to uterine arteriovenous malformations. Postpartum women are also at a uniquely high risk for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli and may benefit from consultation and treatment by an interventional radiologist. The goal of this article is to discuss the valuable role that the interventional radiologist plays in the treatment of these obstetric and gynecologic conditions.