Is it worth to insert uterine pack instead of Bakri balloon to control postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery in hypertensive patients?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of uterine packing with gauze compared to Bakri balloon to control postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after vaginal delivery in patients with hypertensive disorders with pregnancy (HDP). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted on 142 patients with HDP who suffered atonic PPH following vaginal delivery and were allocated either to insert uterine packing with gauze (n = 68) or insertion of Bakri balloon (n = 74). Success of the tamponade to arrest bleeding was the primary outcome measure. Data was collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Most of the included patients experienced spontaneous onset of labour (69%), had not receive I.V. antihypertensive drugs (83.1%) or magnesium sulphate (94.4%), or calcium channel blocker (95.7%), underwent spontaneous vaginal delivery (85.9%), received Pethidine by IMI for pain relief during labour (67.6%), did not need an episiotomy (59.2%), with spontaneous delivery of the placenta (95.77%). Bakri balloon was associated with a shorter duration to insert (p < 0.001), a higher failure rate with the need for laparotomy (p < 0.05) and more post-delivery hospital stay compared to uterine packing (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although uterine packing with gauze to control PPH after vaginal delivery in patients with HDP requires a longer time to insert compared to Bakri balloon yet associated with a lesser need for laparotomy and shorter hospital stay. Larger trials are warranted to confirm or refute these findings.

Effects of a levonorgestrel intrauterine system versus a copper intrauterine device on menstrual changes and uterine artery Doppler.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and a copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) on menstrual changes and uterine artery Doppler indices. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at Menoufia University Hospital, Egypt, between December 2016 and August 2017. 306 multiparous women desiring intrauterine contraception were randomly assigned to LNG-IUS (n=152) or Cu-IUD (n=154). Uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) and resistant index (RI) were measured before use, and 3 and 6 months after insertion, and associations with abnormal bleeding were evaluated. RESULTS: Irregular bleeding was initially reported by 31 (74%) of 42 women in the LNG-IUS group, and heavy menstrual bleeding by 53 (67%) of 79 women in the Cu-IUD group. Incidence of abnormal bleeding decreased over the 6-month study period. Uterine artery PI was significantly correlated with abnormal bleeding at a cutoff of 1.35 with area under the curve (AUC) 0.93, sensitivity 88%, and specificity 100%, whereas uterine artery RI was significantly correlated with abnormal bleeding at a cutoff of 0.62 with AUC 0.1, sensitivity 96%, and specificity 100%. CONCLUSION: LNG-IUS-related abnormal bleeding was associated with changes in uterine artery blood flow that were not evident among Cu-IUD users. Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR201701001900640.

First versus second trimester mean platelet volume and uric acid for prediction of preeclampsia in women at moderate and low risk.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if second trimester mean platelet volume (MPV) and serum uric acid are reasonable predictors of preeclampsia (PE) or not, in patients at moderate and low risk. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on 9522 women at low or moderate risk for developing PE who underwent dual measurements of MPV and serum uric acid at late first trimester (10-12 weeks) and at second trimester (18-20 weeks) and subsequently divided into two groups; PE group (n = 286) who later developed PE and non-PE group (n = 9236). Test validity of MPV and serum uric acid was the primary outcome measure. Data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Second trimester MPV is a good predictor for development of PE at a cutoff value of 9.55 fL with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86, sensitivity of 95.2%, specificity of 66.7%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 87%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 85.7%, and accuracy of 86.7%. Second trimester serum uric acid is a good predictor for development of PE at a cutoff value of 7.35 mg/dL, with AUC of 0.85, sensitivity of 95.2%, specificity of 55.6%, PPV of 83.3%, NPV of 83.3%, and accuracy of 83.3%. Combination of both tests has a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 22.2%, PPV of 75%, NPV of 100%, and accuracy of 76.7%. CONCLUSION: Second trimester MPV and serum uric acid alone or in combination could be used as a useful biochemical markers for prediction of PE based on their validity, simplicity, and availability.

Maternal hemodynamic changes and predictors of poor obstetric outcome in women with rheumatic heart disease: a five-year observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess prospectively the maternal cardiovascular hemodynamic changes and obstetric outcome in women with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and to detect predictors of poor outcome. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 204 pregnant patients with RHD who were divided into two groups; successful pregnancy group with living fetus (n = 126) and poor obstetric outcome group with fetal or neonatal loss (n = 78). Hemodynamic changes, maternal and fetal outcome were assessed and recorded. RESULTS: There was a highly significant difference between the two groups regarding disease criteria with more women suffering from stenotic lesions (mitral and aortic), pulmonary hypertension, previous heart failure, receiving cardiac medications and higher NYHA class (III and IV) in the poor obstetric outcome group (p < .001). These patients were more prone to maternal and fetal morbidity. Maternal age above 28 years, body mass index higher than 28, mean pulmonary artery pressure higher than 50 mmHg, NYHA class III-IV and development of heart failure or cyanosis are predictors of poor outcome (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Increased maternal age and body mass index together with NYHA class III-IV, significant pulmonary hypertension, reduced ejection fraction and development of heart failure during pregnancy are strong predictors of poor maternal and fetal outcome.

Clomiphene citrate combined with metformin versus letrozole for induction of ovulation in clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.

A total of 202 patients with clomiphene citrate (CC) -resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were randomly allocated into two arms of induction of ovulation; the first group (n = 102) received CC 100 mg and metformin 500 mg while the second group (n = 100) received letrozole 2.5 mg with ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, adverse effects, and acceptability were assessed. Patients in the letrozole arm experienced higher rate of ovulation (82% versus 43.1%, p < .001), more dominant follicles (p < .05), better endometrial thickness (p < .001), higher clinical pregnancy rate (36% versus 9.8%, p < .001), higher multiple pregnancy rate (p < .05), lesser adverse effects (p < .05) and higher acceptability (p < .001) compared to patients in the CC and metformin arm. In conclusion; letrozole is better and more acceptable than combined CC and metformin for inducing ovulation in patients with CC-resistant PCOS with higher clinical pregnancy rate and unexpectedly higher multiple pregnancy rate.

Predictors of poor obstetric outcome in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: a 10-year experience of a university hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the maternal and fetal outcome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by a retrospective analysis from 2005 to 2010, and a prospective follow-up of pregnant SLE patients from 2010 to 2015 to find out predictors of poor obstetric outcome. METHODS: The study included 236 SLE pregnant females (retrospective group) whose data were viewed retrospectively from their medical records, and 214 SLE pregnant females (prospective group) who were followed prospectively to record their maternal and fetal outcome. RESULTS: There was a highly significant difference between the two groups regarding abortion, venous thromboembolism, prematurity, and intrauterine fetal death (p < 0.001) with more occurrence in retrospective group. Also, the frequency of lupus flares, worsening of renal functions, blood transfusion, maternal mortality, admission to NICU, and neonatal death was higher in the retrospective group (p < 0.05). Predictors of poor obstetric outcome included Last flare before pregnancy <6 months, number of antenatal hospital admissions ≥ 6, use of immunosuppressive therapy, the presence of anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La, and SLE with nephritis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Improved maternal and fetal outcome in women with SLE has occurred following integrated multidisciplinary approach. This emphasizes the importance of postponing pregnancy when predictors of poor outcome are encountered.

Uterine packing versus Foley's catheter for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage secondary to bleeding tendency in low-resource setting: A four-year observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of uterine packing versus Foley's catheter tamponade for controlling postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) secondary to bleeding tendency after vaginal delivery. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted on 92 patients with primary PPH due to bleeding tendency following vaginal delivery who were unresponsive to uterotonics and bimanual compression of the uterus. Patients were divided into two groups, Uterine packing group (n = 45) and Foley catheter group (n = 47). The primary outcome was the success rate of the procedure. Secondary outcome addressed the maternal complications. RESULTS: The use of uterine packing resulted in stoppage of active bleeding in 93.3% of cases compared to only 68.1% in the Foley's catheter group (p < 0.05). Although the rate of minor complications namely fever, pain and urinary complaints were higher in the uterine packing group, it does not reach to a significant difference when compared to the Foley's catheter (p > 0.05). Six cases who failed to Foley catheter tamponade underwent emergency hysterectomy with no cases in the uterine packing group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of uterine packing to arrest PPH is simple, quick and safe procedure to avoid further surgical interventions and to preserve the fertility in low-resource setting.