Accuracy of the combination of commercially available biomarkers and cervical length measurement to predict preterm birth in symptomatic women: A systematic review

An accurate prognostic method for preterm birth (PTB) could avoid unnecessary treatment(s) with potentially negative effects. The objective was to explore the prognostic accuracy of commercially available bedside cervicovaginal biomarker tests in combination with cervical length (CL) compared to CL measurement alone and/or a biomarker test alone, for PTB within 7 days after testing symptomatic women at 22-34 weeks. The MEDLINE, Cochrane, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to August 28th, 2019. Seven hundred and eight articles were identified and screened using Rayyan. Studies reporting on the predictive accuracy of combined tests compared to CL or biomarker alone for the prediction of PTB within 7 days of testing in symptomatic women with intact membranes were included. A piloted data extraction form was used. Direct comparisons of the prognostic accuracy of the combination test with CL measurement or a biomarker alone were done, as well as comparisons of prognostic accuracy of the included combination tests (indirect comparisons). Twelve articles were included (seven on fetal fibronectin, four on phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1, one comparing both). A variety of CL cut-offs was reported. The results could not demonstrate superiority of a combination method compared to single methods. Due to data scarcity and quality, the superiority of either predictive test for PTB, either combination or single, cannot be demonstrated with this systematic review. We recommend further research to compare available biomarkers.

Conservative management of abnormally invasive placenta complicated by local hyperfibrinolysis and beginning disseminated intravascular coagulation

Introduction

Abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) is often associated with high maternal morbidity. In surgical treatment, caesarean hysterectomy or partial uterine resection may lead to high perioperative maternal blood loss. A conservative treatment by leaving the placenta in utero after caesarean delivery of the baby is an option to preserve fertility and to reduce peripartum hysterectomy-related morbidity. Nevertheless, due to increased placental coagulation activity as well as consumption of clotting factors, a disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)-like state with secondary late postpartum bleeding can occur.

Purpose

Systematic review after the presentation of a case of conservative management of placenta percreta with secondary partial uterine wall resection due to vaginal bleeding, complicated by local hyperfibrinolysis and consecutive systemic decrease in fibrinogen levels.

Methods

Systematic PubMed database search was done until August 2019 without any restriction of publication date or journal

Results

Among 58 publications, a total of 11 reported on DIC-like symptoms in the conservative management of AIP, in the median on day 59 postpartum. In most cases, emergency hysterectomy was performed, which led to an almost immediate normalization of coagulation status but was accompanied with high maternal blood loss. In two cases, fertility-preserving conservative management could be continued after successful medical therapy.

Conclusion

Based on these results, we suggest routinely monitoring of the coagulation parameters next to signs of infection in the postpartum check-ups during conservative management of AIP. Postpartum tranexamic acid oral dosage should be discussed when fibrinogen levels are decreasing and D-Dimers are increasing.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00404-020-05721-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.