This document presents a grand rounds discussion on late complications in pregnancy. It reviews several cases including a woman at 39 weeks presenting with chest pain, shortness of breath, and leg edema, possibly due to pulmonary embolism. It also discusses a woman at 36 weeks presenting with seizures, possibly due to preeclampsia or eclampsia. Another case involves a woman at 37 weeks with painless vaginal bleeding, which could be due to placenta previa, vasa previa, or placental abruption. Management strategies are provided for these complications.
3. UCC transfer for CP
25yo G3P2 39 wks, no PMH with acute onset of sharp, non-
radiating R sided chest pain PTA, SOB and LLE edema.
EKG: ST
VS: HR 110, RR 26, BP 108/76, Temp 36.8, SpO2 94%
4. Pulmonary Embolism
Leading cause of morbidity/mortality
High pretest probability of DVT/PE = HIGH RISK
Aortic Dissection
PTX
Pneumonia/URTI
ACS/UA
Esophageal Perforation
Pericarditis/Myocarditis
Pleuritis
Cardiac Tamponade
7. PE Treatment in Pregnancy
Heparin wt based LD/gtt
LMWH 1mg/kg q12hrs SQ
8. POD 4 Booth 32
19yo G1P0 black female at 36 wks, no PMH presents to the
ED s/p 3 minute GTC seizure with headache, MEG abd pain
and blurry vision.
VS: HR 100, RR 16, BP 160/115, Temp 37.3, SpO2 100%
POC Glucose 85
9. Elevated Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
1. Eclampsia:
Pre-eclampsia plus seizures and/or coma
2. Pre-eclampsia:
New onset HTN >140/90 mmHg and proteinuria or
end organ dysfunction >20 wks
11. Management
ABCs, IV, O2, monitor
Labs: CBC, CMP, coags, LDH, T&S
Imaging: MR/CT abd and pelvis, US, CT head
OB consult:
1. Nonsevere Pre-eclampsia
Serial BPs, US, bed rest
12. Management
2. Severe Pre-eclampsia
SBP 140-155 mmHg and DBP 90-105 mmHg
Tx: Labetalol, Hydralazine, Nifedipine, Nicardipine gtt
DOC ppx or Eclampsia Magnesium sulfate
Toxicity: Calcium gluconate
Continued seizures = benzos
DELIVERY per OB >34 wks
13. POD 2
28yo F G2P1 at 37 wks, no PMH presents with painless bright
red vaginal bleeding.
VS: HR 90, RR 14, BP 110/70, Temp 37.1, SpO2 99%
34. Postpartum Hemorrhage
Hemorrhagic Shock:
Signs of shock develop after 30% blood volume lost
CO maintained until Hgb <7 or HCT <20%
Management:
Give PRBCs if HCT < 25-30% with ongoing bleeding
Platelets <50,000 replace
Fibrinogen <100 mg/dL FFP, Cryo
PT/INR, PTT Cryo, recombinant factor VIIa, PCC
35. POD 3, Level 1 Trauma
23yo pregnant F BIB EMS s/p front-end
MVC at 50 mph, restrained driver, no
airbag deployment and pt not
ambulatory on the scene
36. Anatomic Changes
Uterus:
>12wks intra-abdominal
>20 wks fundus at umbilicus
> 24wks viable
Uterine rupture and placental abruption:
5% minor and 50% major blunt trauma
incidents
4-5x incidence FMH
Injured uterus contractions, preterm
labor and pregnancy loss
37. Management of Abdominal Trauma
in Pregnancy
IVx2, O2, monitor, trauma labs, 1L LR, Tetanus and Rhogam prn
L tilt 15-30o
1o Survey:
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Disability: GCS
Exposure
FAST
38. Critical Care in the Pregnant Patient
Intubation:
Dec FRV 25%
Increased risk aspiration
Respiratory alkalosis
Chest tubes:
Diaphragm 4cm higher
3rd or 4th ICS
39. Management of Abdominal Trauma
in Pregnancy
2o Survey:
Head to toe exam
Speculum exam
Fetal monitoring
OB and Trauma surgery consults
40. Imaging and
Disposition
Imaging:
CXR/PXR
Selective scanning with shielding
Mother and viable fetus STABLE 4hrs monitoring
3 contractions/hr, uterine TTP,
VB, ROM obs 24hrs
Mother STABLE and fetus
UNSTABLE
optimize maternal condition,
C/S >24 wks
Mother and fetus UNSTABLE attend mother, +FAST= OR ex-
lap vs. C/S
41. Perimortem Caesarian Section
Perimortem C/S maternal cardiac arrest and viable fetus
Continue ATLS/ACLS
<5 min = best prognosis, 98% neuro intact
0% survival >25 min
Equipment: scalpel, Mayo scissors, retractors, towels, chromic
#0 or 1 and needle holder
45. References: sources
American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. ATLS, Student Course Manual. 8th Ed.2008. Pgs 260-265.
Anderson J.M., and Etches D. (2007). Prevention and management of postpartum hemorrhage. American Family
Physician. 75(6), 875-882.
Brown, Carlos MD. Trauma in Pregnancy. EM:RAP. January 2013.
Cunningham, F., Leveno, K., Bloom, S., Spong, C., Dashe, J. Williams Obstetrics, 24th Ed. McGraw-Hill Education,
2014. Chapter 47.
Knoop, Kevin, Stack, S., Storrow, A. The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 3rd Ed. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc, 2010.
Chapter 10.
Marx, John MD, Hockberger, R. MD, Walls, R. MD. Rosens Emergency Medicine-Concepts and Clinical Practice 8th
Ed. Elsevier, 2013. Chapters 34, 37, 178, 179.
Orman, Rob, Jasumback, M. VQ in Pregnancy? A Rant and Response. EM:RAP. March 2011.
Orman, Rob. Klien, J. Chest Pain in Pregnancy. EM:RAP. December 2011.
Rivers, Carol M.D. Preparing For the Written Board Exam. Urogenital Emergencies. 6th Ed., Vol. 1. Ohio ACEP. 2011.
Pgs 556-575.
Tintinalli, Judith E., J. Stephan Stapczynski, O. John Ma, David M. Cline, Rita K. Cydulka, Garth D. Meckler, The
American College of Emergency Physicians. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 7th Ed.
The McGrw-Hill Companies, Inc. 2011. Chapters 103-104.
Notas del editor
4 million pregnancies per year in the US
Random pregnancy tests completed on female trauma pts find 2% were pregnant and had no idea they were
30% R3 class was pregnant or had a spouse who was pregnancy therefore with these statistics in mind it is unlikely that any of us will escape taking care of a pregnant patient over the course of our career
Countless physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy specifically referring to CV system:
HR increases (80-90 bpm by 3rd tri), increase in SV and CO
Supine hypotension syndrome >20 wks compression on IVC 30% drop in CO, tilt 15-30o to L side
Increased blood volume by 40%, increased levels of fibrinogen and increased coagulation factors (7, 8, 9, 10, 12)
Hypercoagulopathic: compression of IVC by gravid uterus, venous stasis, makes pregnant women 5-10 x more likely to develop DVT/PE
Suspected DVT 3 points
Alternative dx less likely than PE 3 points
HR >100 bpm 1.5 points
No Immobilization/Surgery in past 4 weeks 0 points
No previous DVT/PE 0 points
No hemoptysis 0 points
No h/o malignancy 0 points
EMRAP VQ scan in Pregnancy 2011: Dr. Orman
Pneumonia/URTI
ACS/UA
Aortic Dissection
Esophageal Perforation
PTX
Pericarditis/Myocarditis
Cardiac Tamponade
Rosens: d dimer not used in preg pts to r/o PE, d dimer levels increased cutoffs + PERC criteria in studies show increased Sn 94-98% to rule out PE when normal
American Thoracic Society Algorithm to work-up suspected PE in pregnancy/EMRAP podcast from 2011 Dr. Orman and Dr Klein
First with LE symptoms obtain CUS: compression Doppler US
Second CXR
Normal CXR order VQ scan: use with renal insufficiency and contrast allergy, less nondiagnostic studies
Abnormal CXR order CTPA because more Sn: expose fetus to less radiation but increased breast cancer risk 1.5%
Abs amount fetal radiation 0.1 gray = threshold to avoid b/c congenital deformities occur, 100 dollars value to avoid
CXR = 1/10 of a penny
CTPA= 25-50 cents
VQ scan = 50-75 cents
Pre-eclampsia: previously normal BP, >140/90 x2 measurements 4-6 hrs apart, HTN <20wks= Chronic or Gestational HTN
Pathophysiology: vasospasm, ischemia, thrombosis
Preventing eclampsia and recognizing severe pre-eclampsia
Increased risk placental abruption and progressing 1/50 to eclampsia
Proteinuria >300 mg/24hrs, urine/protein ratio > 0.3, +1 dipstick protein
EOD: hepatic hematoma/stretching of Glisson’s capsule, ARF/ Cr > 1.1, HELLP syndrome, decreased platelets <100K, increase LFTs x2, fetal growth restriction/placental abruption, pulmonary edema
Caused by loss of autoregulation of cerebral BF which leads to increased BP, endo damage and extracellular damage seizures
Imaging: symptom specific
US to evaluate fetal growth
CT head for recurrent sz r/o intracranial pathology
Sustained >140/90 + EOD <34wks expectant management, hospitalize/bed rest
Labetalol 10-20mg IV q10min, Hydralazine 5mg IV q20min, Nifedipine 10mg po q10min
Magnesium LD 4-6g IV and MD 1-2g qhr, or 10g IM divided and administered in gluteus maximus, monitor patellar DTRs and RR >12, monitor UOP >100 mL q4hrs, decrease MD with renal insufficiency
Magnesium toxicity= Calcium gluconate 1g IV
Stable or unstable?
(marginal/partial/complete)
Prior c/s and multiple gestations
(marginal/partial/complete)
(complete/partial/concealed)
Spontaneous MCC: inc risk pts (HTN, Pre-eclampsia, Cocaine and Tobacco use, Trauma)
DIC and AFE
(Prior C/S, Trauma, HTN)
GPs, prenatal care, GA, hx trauma
CAN LOOK BUT DON”T TOUCH
(Rh- mother):
Rhogam (Anti-D) Rh neg mother and Rh pos fetal blood exposure, can occur 0.1mL fetal cells, 300 microg Rh Ig >12 wks, protects 30 mL whole blood exposure within 72hrs, give with abortions, abdominal trauma, ectopic pregnancies, 3rd tri bleeding, delivery
Another expected cause of vaginal bleeding in 3rd trimester is onset of labor- “bloody show,” blood tinged cervical mucus plug during the 1st stage of labor
“No bueno” as this pt was clearly mistriaged!
2nd stage of labor: complete dilation of the cervix to delivery
Cyclic uterine contractions 1-2 minutes apart
suction, blankets, O2
1. Deliver head (Ritgin maneuver, check for nuchal cord, suction)
Delivery anterior shoulder
2. Deliver posterior shoulder- hands on sides of head, push down ant shoulder then up post shoulder, clamp cord
Increased risk PPH 4th stage labor after placenta delivery to 1hr
Foley monitor UOP
2o overdistension
need uterine contraction to VC spiral arteries
Can start Oxytocin after delivery of ant shoulder, dec PPH 40%
Oxytocin 10U IM
Methergine 0.2 mg IM
Misoprostol 1000 mcg rectal
(Bakri balloon or foley 60 mL NS)
Repair absorbable sutures
Uterine inversion caused by excessive traction on cord, replace immed with fist, don’t start Oxytocin until uterus replaced
Ob-Gyn to OR for repair/hysterectomy
Implications of blunt abd trauma in preg woman as this is the #1 cause of nonobstetric morbidity/mortality in preg F
Anatomic changes can pose specific challenges when examining a preg F
Anatomic changes Physiologic Changes Management changes
when evaluating for intra-abd injuries
damages myometrial cells contain PGs
FOCUS ON THE MOTHER THEN FETUS BECAUSE IF MOM DIES FETUS DIES- Dr. Brown EMRAP in 2012 Trauma in Pregnancy
Circulation: Hemorrhage control
Rhogam massive FMH >30 mL, Kleihauer-Betke test detect fetal cells in maternal circulation (Sn 56%, Sp 71%), may require >300 microg Rhogam
FMH 8-30% trauma pts
Isoimmunization Rh- mother at risk 2nd pregnancy with Rh+ fetus
KB test look for fetal cells in mothers blood, 30 mL 300 mcg, consult OB if higher dose needed, poor Sn and Sp
Rh negative = Rhogam
100% O2 difficult airway
Inc TV, (pCO2 30-33mmHg)
Decreased gastric emptying, LES tone and intestinal mobility
FOCUS ON THE MOTHER THEN FETUS BECAUSE IF MOM DIES FETUS DIES- Dr. Brown EMRAP in 2012
Rhogam massive FMH >30 mL, Kleihauer-Betke test detect fetal cells in maternal circulation (Sn 56%, Sp 71%), may require >300 microg Rhogam
FMH 8-30% trauma pts
Isoimmunization Rh- mother at risk 2nd pregnancy with Rh+ fetus
KB test look for fetal cells in mothers blood, 30 mL 300 mcg, consult OB if higher dose needed, poor Sn and Sp
Rh negative = Rhogam
Radiology- get images needed, shielding, pan CT scan <5 rads, no matter GA no fetal effects, selective scanning
Bedside US: FAST, FHT, FM
OR same indications as nonpregnant F, c/s uterine rupture, placental abruption (US or CT scan)
Viable fetus (>22-24 wks) fundus above umbilicus
CO 100%, CA 0%, CPR 30%, pregnancy 10%