Endovascular Interventions for the Morbidly Adherent Placenta

Ultrasound scoring system for prenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum

BACKGROUND

To develop an ultrasound scoring system for placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), evaluate its diagnostic value, and provide a practical approach to prenatal diagnosis of PAS.

METHODS

A total of 532 pregnant women (n = 184 no PAS, n = 120 placenta accreta, n = 189 placenta increta, n = 39 placenta percreta) at high-risk for placenta accreta who delivered in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2021 and December 2022 underwent prenatal ultrasound to evaluate placental invasion. An ultrasound scoring system that included placental and cervical morphology and history of cesarean section was created. Each feature was assigned a score of 0 ~ 2, according to severity. Thresholds for the total ultrasound score that discriminated between no PAS, placenta accreta, placenta increta, and placenta percreta were calculated.

RESULTS

Univariate and multivariate regression analysis identified seven indicators of PAS that were included in the ultrasound scoring system, including placental location, placental thickness, presence/absence of the retroplacental space, thickness of the retroplacental myometrium, presence/absence of placental lacunae, retroplacental myometrial blood flow and history of cesarean section. Using the final ultrasound scoring system, no PAS is diagnosed at a total score < 5, placenta accreta or placenta increta is diagnosed at a total score 5-10, and placenta percreta is diagnosed at a total score ≥ 10.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified seven indicators of PAS and included them in an ultrasound scoring system that has good diagnostic efficacy and clinical utility.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2300069261 (retrospectively registered on 10/03/2023).

The Feasibility and Safety of Temporary Transcatheter Balloon Occlusion of Bilateral Internal Iliac Arteries during Cesarean Section in a Hybrid Operating Room for Placenta Previa with a High Risk of Massive Hemorrhage

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of temporary transcatheter balloon occlusion of bilateral internal iliac arteries (TBOIIA) during cesarean section in a hybrid operating room (OR) for placenta previa (PP) with a high risk of massive hemorrhage. This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 62 patients experiencing PP with a high risk of massive hemorrhage (mean age, 36.2 years; age range 28-45 years) who delivered a baby via planned cesarean section with TBOIIA in a hybrid OR between May 2019 and July 2021. Operation time, estimated blood loss (EBL), amount of intra- and postoperative blood transfusion, perioperative hemoglobin level, hospital stay after operation, balloon time, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, rate of uterine artery embolization (UAE) and hysterectomy, and complication-related TBOIIA were assessed. The mean operation time was 122 min, and EBL was 1290 mL. Nine out of sixty-two patients (14.5%) received a blood transfusion. The mean hemoglobin levels before surgery, immediately after surgery and within 1 week after surgery were 11.3 g/dL, 10.4 g/dL and 9.2 g/dL, respectively. In terms of radiation dose, the mean dose area product (DAP) and cumulative air kerma were 0.017 Gy/cm² and 0.023 Gy, respectively. Ten out of sixty-two patients (16.1%) underwent UAE postoperatively in the hybrid OR. One out of sixty-two patients had been diagnosed with placenta percreta with bladder invasion based on preoperative ultrasound, and thus underwent cesarean hysterectomy following TBOIIA and UAE. While intra-arterial balloon catheter placement for managing PP with a high risk of hemorrhage remains controversial, a planned cesarean section with TBOIIA in a hybrid OR is effective in eliminating the potential risk of intra-arterial balloon catheter displacement, thus reducing intraoperative blood loss, ensuring safe placental removal and conserving the uterus.

Role of Abdominal Aortic Balloon Placement in Planned Conservative Management of Placenta Previa With Placenta Increta or Percreta

Background: We investigated the role of balloon placement in the abdominal aorta (BPAA) in planned conservative management of placenta previa with placenta increta or percreta and the effects of BPAA on perinatal adverse maternal events. Methods: This retrospective case-control study included women with placenta previa (increta or percreta), who underwent pregnancy termination at the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between January 2016 and June 2019. Patients were categorized into the BPAA and non-BPAA groups based on the BPAA placement before delivery. The Chi-square and non-parametric rank-sum tests were used for the intergroup comparison of patient characteristics. The propensity score matching algorithm was used to minimize the intergroup differences in clinical characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with a high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [area under the curve (AUC)] was used to evaluate the classification of the selected high-risk factors. Results: The study included 260 patients, and 104 patients were identified after propensity score matching. In the post-matched cohort, intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the BPAA than in the non-BPAA group (median 1,000 vs. 2,250 ml, P < 0.001). Intraoperative B-Lynch suture was performed in fewer patients in the BPAA (15.4 vs. 34.6%, P = 0.024) than in the non-BPAA group. The packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion rate was lower in the BPAA group (median 4 vs. 8 units, P < 0.001). Overall, 46 (45.1%) patients developed adverse maternal events; however, the rate of adverse maternal events was lower in the BPAA group (19.6 vs. 80.4%, P < 0.001). No ligation of the ascending branch of the uterine artery (P = 0.034), no BPAA (P < 0.001), intraplacental vascular lacunae (P = 0.046), and cervical hypervascularity (P = 0.001) were associated with a high risk of adverse perinatal maternal events. The AUC of the high-risk factors was 0.89 in the post-matched and 0.76 in the pre-matched cohorts. Conclusion: Planned conservative management using BPAA significantly minimized the intraoperative blood loss, the need for a B-Lynch suture, and PRBC transfusion in patients with severe placenta accreta spectrum and placenta previa.

CIRSE standards of practice on gynaecological and obstetric haemorrhage

This CIRSE Standards of Practice document provides best practices for obstetric haemorrhage embolisation (OHE) in the management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). The document is aimed at interventional radiologists involved in treating postpartum haemorrhage, and has been developed by a writing group established by the CIRSE Standards of Practice Committee.

CIRSE Standards of Practice documents are not clinical practice guidelines and do not intend to impose a standard of care, rather provide reasonable approaches to and best practices for specific interventional radiology treatments and techniques.

Arterial thrombosis after REBOA use in placenta accreta spectrum: a case series

BACKGROUND

The use of resuscitative endovascular balloon of the aorta (REBOA) is a useful strategy for bleeding control in placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) management. The incidence of complications associated with this procedure is variable. We report three cases of arterial thrombosis associated with REBOA, and we also analyze the factors that facilitated its occurrence.

CASE REPORT

Three women with PAS, presented common femoral and external iliac arterial thrombosis after REBOA use. Among the contributing factors probably associated with thrombosis, we identified the absence of ultrasound guidance for vascular access and the not using of heparin during aortic occlusion.

CONCLUSIONS

REBOA use is not exempt from complications and must be performed by experienced groups applying strategies to reduce the risks of complications.

Retrospective review of cesarean hysterectomy outcomes utilizing uterine intravascular interventions in a large, community-based healthcare setting

OBJECTIVE

To explore outcomes of women with planned cesarean hysterectomies, with or without use of internal iliac intravascular occlusive balloon catheter or uterine artery embolization (UAE).

STUDY DESIGN

We retrospectively reviewed adult women who underwent a planned cesarean hysterectomy, 2004-2019. All planned cases were included, regardless of indication. Planned surgeries were divided into three groups: balloon placement, UAE, or no intervention. Patients with balloon placement were further subdivided into: balloons placed but not deployed or balloons placed and deployed intraoperatively. Hemorrhage was defined as estimated blood loss (EBL) ≥1,500 mL. An adverse outcome was defined as one or more of the following: intensive care unit admission, thromboembolism, ureteral stent placement, amputation, or reoperation. Basic descriptive and inferential statistics were used to explore differences among groups and adverse outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients underwent planned cesarean hysterectomy. Ten patients (29.4%) had balloons placed, nine (26.5%) had UAE, and 15 (44.1%) had no intervention. Risk of hemorrhage was clinically higher among those with balloon placement (80% vs. 33% UAE vs. 60% no intervention; P = 0.14), with mean EBL (3,605.0 mL vs. 1,488.9 mL vs. 2,289.3 mL; P = 0.05) and mean transfusion requirements (9.3 units vs. 2.8 vs. 4.4; P = 0.01) being significantly higher. Adverse outcomes were also significantly higher among those with balloon placement (80.0% vs. 66.7% UAE vs. 20.0% no intervention; P ≤ 0.01). Of the ten patients with balloons placed, four were deployed. Among those with balloons placed and deployed, mean EBL (5,250.0 mL vs. 2,508.3 mL balloons placed but not deployed vs. 2,289.3 mL no intervention; P=0.04) and mean transfusion requirements (11 units vs. 7.5 units balloons placed but not deployed vs. 4.4 units no intervention; P = 0.05) were significantly higher. Adverse outcomes were also significantly higher among those who had balloons placed and deployed (100.0% vs. 66.7% balloons placed but not deployed vs. 20.0% no intervention; P ≤ 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Balloon placement, regardless of deployment, may not be beneficial to women undergoing a planned cesarean hysterectomy. Although UAE was also associated with adverse outcomes, it may be a better option for reducing intraoperative blood loss among patients with a planned cesarean hysterectomy.

Perioperative patient blood management during parallel transverse uterine incision cesarean section in patient with pernicious placenta previa: A retrospective cohort analysis

Pernicious placenta previa (PPP) is the main cause of severe obstetric postpartum hemorrhage and hysterectomy and often requires donor blood transfusion. Prophylactic internal iliac artery (IIA) balloon occlusion (BO) combined with cell salvage is increasingly being deployed in parallel transverse uterine incision (PTUI) cesarean section (CS). The aim of this study was to explore the differences in blood management in PTUI CS with or without prophylactic IIA BO and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cell salvage to reduce the need for donor blood transfusion during PTUI CS.This retrospective study included all women who were diagnosed with PPP and PA and underwent PTUI CS from October 1, 2016, to October 31, 2018. Sixty-four patients were included: 34 underwent prophylactic IIA BO (IIA group), whereas 30 were treated without prophylactic IIA BO (control group). The primary outcome was a composite measure of perioperative blood management outcomes, including the estimated blood loss (EBL), donor blood transfusion, salvaged blood returned, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), pre- and postoperative serum hemoglobin and hematocrit. In addition, the baseline conditions of mother and neonates were compared.EBL was significantly higher in the IIA group compared to the control group (2883.5 mL in the IIA group vs 1868.7 mL in the control group, P = .001). Overall, the donor blood transfusion rate was 23.5% (8/34), averaging 4.2 U, in the IIA group versus 30% (9/30), averaging 3.4 U, in the control group, which were not significantly different. The FFP transfusion rate was 47%, averaging 765.6 mL, in the IIA group versus 20%, averaging 816.7 mL, in the control group. In the IIA group, 97.1% used cell savage and had salvaged blood returned, averaging 954.9 mL. In the control group, 90% had salvaged blood returned, averaging 617.9 mL. No cases of amniotic fluid embolism were observed with leukocyte depletion filters.Prophylactic IIA BO during PTUI CS in women with PPP and PA does not lead to a statistically significant reduction in EBL. Cell salvage was associated with a reduction in the rate of donor blood transfusion during PTUI CS.

The role of interventional radiology in the management of abnormally invasive placenta: a systematic review of current evidences

Abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) is a potentially severe condition. To date, arterial embolization in women with postpartum hemorrhage due to AIP is the treatment option for which highest degrees of evidence are available. However, other techniques have been tested, including prophylactic catheter placement, balloon occlusion of the iliac arteries and abdominal aorta balloon occlusion. In this systematic review, we provide an overview of the currently reported interventional radiology procedures that are used for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage due to AIP and suggest recommendations based on current evidences. Owing to a high rate of adverse events, prophylactic occlusion of internal iliac arteries should be used with caution and applied when the endpoint is hysterectomy. On the opposite, when a conservative management is considered to preserve future fertility, uterine artery embolization should be the preferred option as it is associated with a hysterectomy rate of 15.5% compared to 76.5% with prophylactic balloon occlusion of the internal iliac arteries and does not result in fetal irradiation. Limited data are available regarding the application of systematic prophylactic embolization and no comparative studies with arterial embolization are available.

Successful resuscitation of a patient with pernicious placenta previa and placenta accreta who had massive life-threatening bleeding during cesarean section: A case report

RATIONALE

Pernicious placenta accrete (PPP) is an obstetrical complication associated with severe life-threatening hemorrhage, which is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. Caesarean hysterectomy is the effective method to control intraoperative bleeding for this unscheduled high-risk patient. But a challenge for clinicians in this case is to determine the optimal timing of hysterectomy, because it will directly determine maternal outcome.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We here report a case diagnosed with PPP who suffered from a severe life-threatening hemorrhage during cesarean section but was successfully resuscitated and subsequently discharged from hospital after a smooth recovery.

DIAGNOSES

Although binding the lower uterine segment with a tourniquet markedly reduced bleeding in the surgical field after delivery, massive concealed vaginal life-threatening bleeding occurred immediately, and the amount of vaginal blood loss within 10 minutes was as much as 3000 mL.

INTERVENTIONS

An experienced multidisciplinary team was immediately established, and an unscheduled caesarean hysterectomy was performed immediately, and cell salvage was used.

OUTCOME

The patient was successfully resuscitated and both the parturient and neonate were well and discharged.

LESSON

If binding the lower uterine segment with a tourniquet markedly reduces bleeding in the surgical field after cesarean delivery in high-risk patients with PPP, and persistence of hypotension after active resuscitation of the circulation is detected, anesthesiologist should be vigilant enough to detect the possibility of concealed vaginal life-threatening bleeding. If this is confirmed, it should be quickly identified whether bleeding can be quickly controlled within a short period of time. If not, the preferred strategy is that the earlier the unscheduled hysterectomy, the better the outcome. A well-established multidisciplinary team and autologous blood recovery and transfusion techniques are also important in ensuring successful resuscitation of patients.