Magnesium sulfate in preeclampsia: Broad indications, not only in neurological symptoms.

The role of magnesium sulfate for treatment of eclampsia is well established. The medication proved to be superior to other anticonvulsants to reduce the incidence of recurrent convulsions among women with eclampsia. Additionally, magnesium sulfate has been indicated for women with preeclampsia with different severe features. However, despite these recommendations, many clinicians are still not confident with the use of magnesium sulfate, even in settings with high incidence of preeclampsia and unacceptable rates of maternal mortality. This review brings basic science and clinical information to endorse recommendations to encourage clinicians to use magnesium sulfate for patients with all severe features of preeclampsia, not only for women with neurological symptoms. Additionally, other benefits of magnesium sulfate in anesthesia and fetal neuroprotection are also presented. Finally, a comprehensive algorithm presents recommendations to manage patients with preeclampsia with severe features between 34 and 36+6 weeks.

Obstetric emergency simulation training course: experience of a private-public partnership in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Lack of skills on how to diagnose and manage obstetric emergencies contribute to substandard institutional care and preventable maternal deaths in Brazil. Simulation-based obstetric emergency team training can reduce adverse maternal outcomes. However, this type of training is expensive and not widely available, especially in low resource settings. We present the experience of a private-public partnership that offered a two-day obstetric emergency simulation-training course to hundreds of Brazilian professionals working in the public sector. We also present participants´ short-term learning outcomes (Kirkpatrick's level 2) and satisfaction (Kirkpatrick's level 1). METHODS: This was a non-experimental before-and-after study. The free 16-h course was held over a 14 months period in a large private hospital's simulation center using multidisciplinary scenario and model-based training. The training sessions consisted of four (4-h) modules on pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, hemorrhage, sepsis and resuscitation. An anonymous questionnaire collected participants´ satisfaction at the end of each module. Learning outcomes were assessed by comparing differences in participants´ pre- versus immediate post-course test scores. Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests were used for statistical analyses. P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: 340 professionals (117 doctors, 179 registered nurses-RN and 44 licensed practical nurses-LPN) working in 33 public Brazilian hospitals were trained. There was a significant increase in post-course test scores in all four modules. On average, scores increased 55% in the hypertension and 65-69% in the hemorrhage, sepsis and resuscitation modules (p = 0.019). Knowledge acquisition of RN and LPN was similar in the hypertension, hemorrhage and sepsis modules and significantly higher than doctors´ (p < 0.05). On a 0 to 10 scale, mean overall satisfaction ranged from 9.6 (for the hypertension module) to 9.8 (for the resuscitation module). CONCLUSIONS: This successful experience of a private-public partnership to offer obstetric emergency simulation training required strategic organization and a strong commitment from both sides. This promising private-public partnership model could be replicated in similar settings. The training course obtained high satisfaction scores and significantly improved the knowledge of public-sector health professionals on how to manage the main causes of maternal mortality.

Perioperative warming with a thermal gown prevents maternal temperature loss during elective cesarean section. A randomized clinical trial / O aquecimento no perioperatório com avental cirúrgico térmico impede a perda de temperatura materna durante a cesariana eletiva. Estudo clínico randômico

Abstract Background and objectives: Decrease in body temperature is common during general and regional anesthesia. Forced-air warming intraoperative during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia seems not able to prevent it. The hypothesis considers that active warming before the intraoperative period avoids temperature loss during cesarean. Methods: Forty healthy pregnant patients undergoing elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia received active warming from a thermal gown in the preoperative care unit 30 min before spinal anesthesia and during surgery (Go, n = 20), or no active warming at any time (Ct, n = 20). After induction of spinal anesthesia, the thermal gown was replaced over the chest and upper limbs and maintained throughout study. Room temperature, hemoglobin saturation, heart rate, arterial pressure, and tympanic body temperature were registered 30 min before (baseline) spinal anesthesia, right after it (time zero) and every 15 min thereafter. Results: There was no difference for temperature at baseline, but they were significant throughout the study (p < 0.0001; repeated measure ANCOVA). Tympanic temperature baseline was 36.6 ± 0.3 °C, measured 36.5 ± 0.3 °C at time zero and reached 36.1 ± 0.2 °C for gown group, while control group had baseline temperature of 36.4 ± 0.4 °C, measured 36.3 ± 0.3 °C at time zero and reached 35.4 ± 0.4 °C (F = 32.53; 95% CI 0.45-0.86; p < 0.001). Hemodynamics did not differ throughout the study for both groups of patients. Conclusion: Active warming 30 min before spinal anesthesia and during surgery prevented a fall in body temperature in full-term pregnant women during elective cesarean delivery.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A redução da temperatura corporal é comum durante a anestesia tanto geral quanto regional. O sistema de ar forçado aquecido no intraoperatório durante a cesariana sob anestesia peridural não parece conseguir impedi-la. A hipótese considera que o aquecimento ativo antes do período intraoperatório evita a perda de temperatura durante a cesariana. Métodos: Quarenta pacientes grávidas, saudáveis, submetidas à cesariana eletiva com anestesia espinal receberam aquecimento ativo de um avental térmico na unidade de cuidados pré-operatórios 30 minutos antes da anestesia e durante a cirurgia (Go, n = 20) ou nenhum aquecimento ativo a qualquer momento (Ct, n = 20). Após a indução da anestesia espinhal, o avental térmico foi colocado sobre o tórax e os membros superiores e mantido durante o estudo. Temperatura ambiente, saturação de hemoglobina, frequência cardíaca, pressão arterial e temperatura corporal timpânica foram registradas 30 minutos antes (fase basal) da anestesia espinhal, logo após a anestesia (tempo zero) e a cada 15 minutos subsequentemente. Resultados: Não houve diferença de temperatura na fase basal, mas as diferenças foram significativas ao longo do estudo (p < 0,0001; Ancova de medida repetida). A temperatura timpânica na fase basal foi de 36,6 ± 0,3 °C, mediu 36,5 ± 0,3 °C no tempo zero e atingiu 36,1 ± 0,2 °C no grupo avental, enquanto a temperatura basal do grupo controle foi de 36,4 ± 0,4 °C, mediu 36,3 ± 0,3 °C no tempo zero e atingiu 35,4 ± 0,4 °C (F = 32,53; IC de 95% 0,45-0,86, p < 0,001). A hemodinâmica não diferiu ao longo do estudo em ambos os grupos de pacientes. Conclusão: O aquecimento ativo 30 minutos antes da anestesia espinhal e durante a cirurgia evitou a queda da temperatura corporal em mulheres grávidas a termo durante a cesariana eletiva.

Perioperative warming with a thermal gown prevents maternal temperature loss during elective cesarean section. A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Decrease in body temperature is common during general and regional anesthesia. Forced-air warming intraoperative during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia seems not able to prevent it. The hypothesis considers that active warming before the intraoperative period avoids temperature loss during cesarean. METHODS: Forty healthy pregnant patients undergoing elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia received active warming from a thermal gown in the preoperative care unit 30min before spinal anesthesia and during surgery (Go, n=20), or no active warming at any time (Ct, n=20). After induction of spinal anesthesia, the thermal gown was replaced over the chest and upper limbs and maintained throughout study. Room temperature, hemoglobin saturation, heart rate, arterial pressure, and tympanic body temperature were registered 30min before (baseline) spinal anesthesia, right after it (time zero) and every 15min thereafter. RESULTS: There was no difference for temperature at baseline, but they were significant throughout the study (p<0.0001; repeated measure ANCOVA). Tympanic temperature baseline was 36.6±0.3°C, measured 36.5±0.3°C at time zero and reached 36.1±0.2°C for gown group, while control group had baseline temperature of 36.4±0.4°C, measured 36.3±0.3°C at time zero and reached 35.4±0.4°C (F=32.53; 95% CI 0.45-0.86; p<0.001). Hemodynamics did not differ throughout the study for both groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Active warming 30min before spinal anesthesia and during surgery prevented a fall in body temperature in full-term pregnant women during elective cesarean delivery.

Oxytocin in cesarean-sections. What's new? / Ocitocina em cesarianas. O que há de novo?

Abstract Oxytocin is the uterotonic agent of choice in the prevention and treatment of postpartum uterine atony. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on the optimal dose and rate for use in cesarean sections. The use of high bolus doses (e.g., 10 IU of oxytocin) can determine deleterious cardiovascular changes for the patient, especially in situations of hypovolemia or low cardiac reserve. Furthermore, high doses of oxytocin for prolonged periods may lead to desensitization of oxytocin receptors in myometrium, resulting in clinical inefficiency.

Resumo A ocitocina é o uterotônico de primeira escolha na prevenção e no tratamento da atonia uterina após o parto. Apesar disso, não existe consenso sobre qual a dose e velocidade ideais de seu uso em cesarianas. O uso de altas doses (por exemplo, 10 UI de ocitocina) em bolus pode determinar alterações cardiocirculatórias deletérias para a paciente, especialmente em situações de hipovolemia ou baixa reserva cardíaca. Além disso, altas doses de ocitocina por períodos prolongados podem levar à dessensibilização dos receptores de ocitocina localizados no miométrio e resultar em ineficácia clínica.

[Perioperative warming with a thermal gown prevents maternal temperature loss during elective cesarean section. A randomized clinical trial]. / O aquecimento no perioperatório com avental cirúrgico térmico impede a perda de temperatura materna durante a cesariana eletiva. Estudo clínico randômico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Decrease in body temperature is common during general and regional anesthesia. Forced-air warming intraoperative during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia seems not able to prevent it. The hypothesis considers that active warming before the intraoperative period avoids temperature loss during cesarean. METHODS: Forty healthy pregnant patients undergoing elective cesarean section with spinal anesthesia received active warming from a thermal gown in the preoperative care unit 30min before spinal anesthesia and during surgery (Go, n=20), or no active warming at any time (Ct, n=20). After induction of spinal anesthesia, the thermal gown was replaced over the chest and upper limbs and maintained throughout study. Room temperature, hemoglobin saturation, heart rate, arterial pressure, and tympanic body temperature were registered 30min before (baseline) spinal anesthesia, right after it (time zero) and every 15min thereafter. RESULTS: There was no difference for temperature at baseline, but they were significant throughout the study (p<0.0001; repeated measure ANCOVA). Tympanic temperature baseline was 36.6±0.3°C, measured 36.5±0.3°C at time zero and reached 36.1±0.2°C for gown group, while control group had baseline temperature of 36.4±0.4°C, measured 36.3±0.3°C at time zero and reached 35.4±0.4°C (F=32.53; 95% CI 0.45-0.86; p<0.001). Hemodynamics did not differ throughout the study for both groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Active warming 30min before spinal anesthesia and during surgery prevented a fall in body temperature in full-term pregnant women during elective cesarean delivery.

Oxytocin in cesarean-sections. What's new?

Oxytocin is the uterotonic agent of choice in the prevention and treatment of postpartum uterine atony. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on the optimal dose and rate for use in cesarean sections. The use of high bolus doses (e.g., 10IU of oxytocin) can determine deleterious cardiovascular changes for the patient, especially in situations of hypovolemia or low cardiac reserve. Furthermore, high doses of oxytocin for prolonged periods may lead to desensitization of oxytocin receptors in myometrium, resulting in clinical inefficiency.

[Oxytocin in cesarean-sections. What's new?]. / Ocitocina em cesarianas. O que há de novo?

Oxytocin is the uterotonic agent of choice in the prevention and treatment of postpartum uterine atony. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on the optimal dose and rate for use in cesarean sections. The use of high bolus doses (e.g., 10 IU of oxytocin) can determine deleterious cardiovascular changes for the patient, especially in situations of hypovolemia or low cardiac reserve. Furthermore, high doses of oxytocin for prolonged periods may lead to desensitization of oxytocin receptors in myometrium, resulting in clinical inefficiency.