Sequential measurement of the neurosensory retina in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a model of microvascular injury in hypertensive emergency.

Optical coherence tomography of the eye suggests the retina thins in normal pregnancy. Our objectives were to confirm and extend these observations to women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Maternal demographics, clinical/laboratory findings and measurements of macular thickness were repeatedly collected at gestational ages <20 weeks, 20-weeks to delivery, at delivery and postpartum. The primary outcome was the change in macular thickness from non-pregnant dimensions in women with incident HDP compared to non-hypertensive pregnant controls. Secondary outcomes were the relationship(s) between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and macular response. Data show macular thicknesses diminished at <20 weeks gestation in each of 27 pregnancies ending in HDP (mean 3.94 µm; 95% CI 4.66, 3.21) and 11 controls (mean 3.92 µm; 5.05, 2.79; P < 0.001 versus non-pregnant dimensions in both; P = 0.983 HDP versus controls). This thinning response continued to delivery in all controls and in 7 women with HDP superimposed on chronic hypertension. Macular thinning was lost after 20 weeks gestation in the other 20 women with HDP. MAP at loss of macular thinning in women without prior hypertension (n = 12) was identical to MAP at enrollment. However, mean MAP subsequently rose 19 mmHg (15, 22) leading to de novo HDP in all 12 women. Loss of thinning leading to a rise in MAP was also observed in 8 of 15 women with HDP superimposed on chronic hypertension. We conclude the macula thins in most women in early pregnancy. Those who lose this early macular thinning response often develop blood pressure elevations leading to HDP.

Effectiveness of simulation-based training for obstetric internal medicine: Impact of cognitive load and emotions on knowledge acquisition and retention.

BACKGROUND: Simulation-based training's impact on learning outcomes may be related to cognitive load or emotions during training. We evaluated the association of validated measures of cognitive load and emotion with learning outcomes in simulation-based obstetric internal medicine cases. METHODS: All internal medicine learners (n = 15) who completed the knowledge test pre-training, post-training (knowledge acquisition), and at 3-6 months (knowledge retention) for all three simulation cases were included. RESULTS: Mean knowledge scores differed over time in all three cases (p < 0.0001 for all). Knowledge retention scores were significantly higher only for cases 1 and 3. Cognitive load associated with frustration was positively associated with knowledge acquisition for case 2 (beta = 5.18, P = 0.007), while excitement was negatively associated with knowledge retention in case 1 (beta = -33.07, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Simulation-based education for obstetric internal medicine can be effective in select cases. Attention to cognitive load and emotion may optimize learning outcomes.

Postpartum hypertensive disorders in the Emergency Department - A retrospective review of local practice in Calgary, Alberta.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) commonly occur postpartum and are associated with preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. HDP is the most common reason for presentation to the Emergency Department (ED) after delivery. However, given the broad range of non-specific symptoms, recognition and management of postpartum HDP may be delayed leading to serious adverse clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To describe: (1) the clinical presentation; (2) ED physician's diagnosis; and (3) current ED management of women with HDP in Calgary ED's. METHODS: A retrospective review of postpartum women (within 42 days of delivery) attending three Calgary EDs between 2011 and 2012 was performed. Administrative data was used to randomly select 119 women; 44 with diagnostic codes for any HDP (labeled "HDP") and 75 with diagnostic codes for related diagnoses (e.g., abdominal pain, headache) (labeled "non-HDP"). Charts were reviewed for: maternal demographics; obstetrical history; and ED clinical findings, investigations and management. RESULTS: Maternal characteristics were similar between groups. There was considerable overlap in clinical presentation between groups, with no significant difference for any presenting symptom. Only 52.3% (CI 40.0-64.3%) of women in the "HDP" group had HDP investigations (bloodwork and urinalysis) vs. 30.4% (CI 18.7-58.5%) of "non-HDP" (p = 0.072). HDP was diagnosed by the ED team in 42.9% (CI 31.1-55.5%) of the HDP group of whom only 40.3% (CI 28.7-53.1) received antihypertensive therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Postpartum HDP is commonly under-recognized and under-treated in the ED, highlighting opportunities for interventions to improve the recognition and management of postpartum HDP.

Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Induction due to Infection: A Patient with Infective Endocarditis and Chronic Hepatitis C.

While antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) is often used as a diagnostic marker for certain vasculitides, ANCA induction in the setting of infection is much less common. In the case of infective endocarditis, patients may present with multisystem disturbances resembling an autoimmune process, cases that may be rendered even trickier to diagnose in the face of a positive ANCA. Though not always straightforward, distinguishing an infective from an inflammatory process is pivotal in order to guide appropriate therapy. We describe an encounter with a 43-year-old male with chronically untreated hepatitis C virus infection who featured ANCA positivity while hospitalized with acute bacterial endocarditis. His case serves as a reminder of two of the few infections known to uncommonly generate ANCA positivity. We also summarize previously reported cases of ANCA positivity in the context of endocarditis and hepatitis C infections.

Presentation and management of acute hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis in pregnancy: A case report.

Pancreatitis related to hypertriglyceridemia can occasionally occur during pregnancy, particularly if there are underlying genetic abnormalities in lipid metabolism. We report the case of a 27-year-old female with hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis in pregnancy that was treated initially with lipid lowering medications, followed by plasma exchange for persistently elevated triglyceride levels. Despite multiple interventions, she developed recurrent pancreatitis and simultaneously had a preterm birth. In this case report, we highlight the various therapies and the use of plasmapharesis in secondary prevention of hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis in pregnancy.