Association Between Post-Dural Puncture Headache After Neuraxial Anesthesia in Childbirth and Intracranial Subdural Hematoma.

Importance: Women giving birth have high rates of dural puncture secondary to neuraxial anesthesia and are at high risk for a resulting headache. It appears to be unknown whether there is a significant association between post-dural puncture headache and subsequent intracranial subdural hematoma. Objective: To determine the association of post-dural puncture headache with postpartum intracranial subdural hematoma. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study of patients used hospital discharges recorded in the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Readmission Database for women who experienced childbirth from January 2010 to December 2016. Patients were included if they had been admitted for childbirth, had 2 months of follow-up data, and did not receive a diagnostic lumbar puncture. Only the first delivery for a calendar year was studied. Data were analyzed from January 2018 to June 2019. Exposures: Women with post-dural puncture headache associated with neuraxial anesthesia in the 2-month postpartum period were identified using International Classification of Disease (Ninth Edition and Tenth Edition) codes and were compared with those without post-dural puncture headaches. Main Outcome and Measures: The primary outcome was intracranial subdural hematoma in the 2-month postpartum period. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality and occurrence of neurosurgery. Results: A total of 26 469 771 patients with 26 498 194 deliveries were included. Exclusion of repeated deliveries (n = 28 423), deliveries without 2 months of follow-up data (n = 4 329 621), and deliveries with diagnostic lumbar puncture (n = 9334) resulted in a final cohort of 22 130 815 patients and deliveries. For the cohort, the mean (SD) age was 28.1 (6.0) years, and there were 68 374 post-dural puncture headaches, for an overall rate of 309 (95% CI, 302-316) per 100 000. There were 342 cases of subdural hematoma identified, indicating a rate of 1.5 (95% CI, 1.3-1.8) per 100 000 women. Of these, 100 cases were in women with post-dural puncture headache, indicating a rate of 147 (95% CI, 111-194) hematoma cases per 100 000 deliveries in this subgroup. Post-dural puncture headache had an unadjusted absolute risk increase of 145 (95% CI, 117-174) subdural hematoma cases per 100 000 deliveries. After adjusting for confounders, post-dural puncture headache had an odds ratio for subdural hematoma of 199 (95% CI, 126-317; P < .001) and an adjusted absolute risk increase of 130 (95% CI, 90-169; P < .001) per 100 000 deliveries. Conclusions and Relevance: The presence of presumed post-dural puncture headache after neuraxial anesthesia in childbirth, compared with no headache, was associated with a small but statistically significant absolute increase in the risk of being diagnosed with intracranial subdural hematoma. Further research is needed to establish if this association is causal for this rare outcome.

Pregnancy as a possible trigger for heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension.

It is unclear whether pregnancy is a trigger or accelerant for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Alternatively, its frequency close to the onset of symptoms and diagnosis in the idiopathic PAH population may represent a coincidence in a disease that predominates in young women. We describe a carrier of a BMPR2 gene mutation who had an uneventful first pregnancy but had aggressive PAH during her second pregnancy and now has ongoing heritable PAH. The possible role of pregnancy as a trigger in this vulnerable patient is discussed. Databases of patients with heritable PAH should be explored to see whether pregnancy is related to overt manifestation of the disease.

Incidence, indications, and predictors of adverse outcomes of postpartum hysterectomies: 20-year experience in a tertiary care centre.

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum hysterectomy is an uncommon yet serious obstetric procedure associated with maternal morbidity and mortality. The objectives of our study were to assess the incidence of and indications for PH and to identify predictors of massive hemorrhage and coagulopathy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on all cases of PH performed at the Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, between 1992 and 2011. Data were collected from individual patient charts and logistics regression models were used to evaluate predictors of adverse events. RESULTS: Over a 20-year study period, there were 76 938 live births and 67 postpartum hysterectomies for an overall incidence of 0.87/1000. Although overall PH rates increased over time predominantly because of increasing rates of planned PH for placental abnormalities, there was a decrease in unplanned emergency postpartum hysterectomies. The main indications for PH were abnormal placentation (64.2%) and postpartum hemorrhage (26.9%). In adjusted analysis, the risk of requiring massive blood transfusion was increased when PH was performed after vaginal delivery or Caesarean section (OR 102.1; 95% CI 4.22 to 2468) and in association with postpartum hemorrhage (OR 9.1; 95% CI 1.3 to 64.3). The risk of massive hemorrhage was lower if occlusive balloons were placed antenatally in the uterine arteries (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.68) and if PH was performed by a dedicated experienced surgeon (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.86). CONCLUSION: Although overall rates of PH are increasing, antenatal recognition of placental pathologies have resulted in fewer postpartum hysterectomies being done as emergencies. The use of occlusive balloons in the uterine arteries and having the procedure performed by a dedicated surgeon skilled in performing postpartum hysterectomy can reduce overall serious morbidity.

Objectif : L'hystérectomie postpartum (HP) est une intervention obstétricale peu courante, mais grave, qui est associée à de la morbidité et à la mortalité chez la mère. Les objectifs de notre étude étaient d'évaluer l'incidence de l'HP et ses indications, et d'identifier les facteurs prédictifs de l'hémorragie massive et de la coagulopathie. Méthodes : Nous avons mené une étude de cohorte rétrospective qui portait sur tous les cas d'HP menés à l'Hôpital général juif de l'Université McGill entre 1992 et 2011. Les données ont été tirées des dossiers des patientes ciblées et nous avons utilisé des modèles de régression logistique pour évaluer les facteurs prédictifs d'événements indésirables. Résultats : Au cours de la période d'étude de 20 ans, nous avons constaté 76 938 naissances vivantes et 67 cas d'hystérectomie postpartum, l'incidence globale de cette dernière étant donc de 0,87/1 000. Bien que les taux globaux d'HP aient connu une hausse avec le temps (principalement en raison de la hausse des taux d'HP planifiée en raison de la présence d'anomalies placentaires), nous avons constaté une baisse du nombre de cas d'hystérectomie postpartum d'urgence (non planifiées). Les principales indications de l'HP ont été la présence d'une placentation anormale (64,2 %) et celle d'une hémorragie postpartum (26,9 %). Dans le cadre d'une analyse corrigée, nous avons constaté que le risque de nécessiter une transfusion massive de sang connaissait une hausse lorsqu'une HP était menée à la suite d'un accouchement vaginal ou d'une césarienne (RC, 102,1; IC à 95 %, 4,22 - 2 468), ainsi qu'en association avec la présence d'une hémorragie postpartum (RC, 9,1; IC à 95 %, 1,3 - 64,3). Le risque d'hémorragie massive était moindre lorsque des ballonnets occlusifs étaient placés, avant la naissance, dans les artères utérines (RC, 0,13; IC à 95 %, 0,03 ­ 0,68) et lorsque l'HP était menée par un chirurgien d'expérience spécialisé (RC, 0,23; IC à 95 %, 0,06 - 0,86). Conclusion : Bien que les taux globaux d'HP soient en hausse, la capacité de reconnaître la présence de pathologies placentaires pendant la période prénatale s'est soldée en un nombre moindre de cas d'hystérectomie postpartum de nature urgente. L'utilisation de ballonnets occlusifs dans les artères utérines et le fait d'avoir recours à un chirurgien d'expérience spécialisé dans la tenue d'interventions d'hystérectomie postpartum peuvent atténuer le taux global de morbidité grave.

Gabapentin improves postcesarean delivery pain management: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Gabapentin is effective for preventing and treating acute and chronic postoperative pain; however, it has not been described for use in cesarean delivery. We hypothesized that preoperative gabapentin would reduce postcesarean delivery pain. METHODS: Women undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery were randomized to receive preoperative gabapentin 600 mg, or placebo. Spinal anesthesia was achieved with 0.75% hyperbaric bupivacaine 12 mg, fentanyl 10 µg, and morphine 100 µg. Postoperative analgesia was initiated with intraoperative ketorolac and acetaminophen, and continued with postoperative diclofenac, acetaminophen, and morphine. Patients were assessed at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after spinal anesthesia for pain at rest and on movement using a visual analog scale (0 to 100 mm), satisfaction, opioid consumption, and side effects. Neonatal interventions, Apgar scores, umbilical artery blood gases, and breastfeeding difficulties were assessed. Chronic pain was assessed 3 months after delivery. Maternal and umbilical vein gabapentin plasma concentrations were measured in a subgroup of patients. Mixed-model analysis was used to compare the primary outcome of visual analog scale pain scores at 24 hours between groups. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were randomized, and 2 were excluded from analysis. The mean (95% confidence interval, CI) pain scores on movement at 24 hours were 21 mm (CI = 13-28) in the gabapentin and 41 mm (CI = 31-50) in the placebo group (P = 0.001). Maternal satisfaction was higher in the gabapentin group. There was no difference in opioid consumption. Severe maternal sedation was more common in the gabapentin group (19% vs. 0%, P = 0.04). There was no difference in neonatal Apgar scores, interventions, or umbilical artery pH. The mean (SD) maternal vein:umbilical vein plasma gabapentin ratio was 0.86 (0.12). The incidence of pain at 3 months was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Preoperative gabapentin 600 mg in the setting of multimodal analgesia reduces postcesarean delivery pain and increases maternal satisfaction in comparison with placebo.

The transversus abdominis plane block, when used as part of a multimodal regimen inclusive of intrathecal morphine, does not improve analgesia after cesarean delivery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been shown to provide analgesia for lower abdominal wall incisions. We evaluated the efficacy of the TAP block for post-cesarean delivery (CD) patients used as a part of a multimodal regimen. METHODS: Women undergoing elective CD under spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive the TAP block with ropivacaine (n = 50) or placebo (n = 50), in addition to a standard postoperative analgesic regimen inclusive of intrathecal opioids. At the end of the surgical procedure, all the patients received bilateral TAP blocks under real-time ultrasound guidance, with either 20 mL of ropivacaine 0.375% or saline, on each side. Each patient was assessed at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hrs postoperatively, and again 6 weeks after the surgical procedure. The primary outcome was the difference in visual analog scale pain scores with movement at 24 hrs postpartum. Other outcomes assessed were analgesic consumption, maternal satisfaction, and incidence of adverse effects. RESULTS: One hundred women were recruited, and 96 completed the study. The mean (SD) visual analog scale pain scores on movement at 24 hrs were not different between the ropivacaine and placebo groups (3.4 [2.4] and 3.2 [2.2] cm, respectively, P = 0.47). The pain scores at other times, and the supplemental opioid consumption, were also similar between the 2 groups. The overall incidence of pain at 6 weeks postpartum was 8.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The TAP block, when used as part of a multimodal regimen inclusive of intrathecal morphine, does not improve the quality of post-CD analgesia.

Sonoanatomy of the lumbar spine of pregnant women at term.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Spinal ultrasound offers valuable information to facilitate the placement of lumbar neuraxial anesthesia. Lumbar spine sonograms are unique, and aspects may appear atypical at times, particularly the ligamentum flavum (LF). The objective of this study was to describe the sonoanatomy of the lumbar spine and to determine the frequency of atypical images of the LF in pregnant women at term. METHODS: Using a 2-5 MHz curvilinear transducer, we imaged all the lumbar interspaces in the left and right paramedian longitudinal and transverse planes. The images were categorized as typical, atypical or inconclusive. The primary outcome was the presence of an atypical image of the LF in the transverse plane. The distance from the skin to the epidural space, and the dural sac width, were also measured. RESULTS: One hundred subjects were studied. All the images in the longitudinal planes were conclusive and typical, whereas the number of inconclusive images in the transverse plane increased from L1-L2 to L5-S1 (1, 0, 4, 9, and 34, respectively). The incidence of atypical LF images in the transverse plane was 2.0% at L1-L2, 1.0% at L2-L3, 3.1% at L3-L4, 19.8% at L4-L5, and 28.8% at L5-S1. CONCLUSIONS: The paramedian longitudinal sonograms of the lumbar spine are of superior quality to those obtained in the transverse plane. When using the transverse approach, a high incidence of inconclusive sonograms should be expected in the lower segments. The incidence of atypical LF images, especially in the upper lumbar segments, warrants further investigation because it can have implications for the epidural technique.

Obstructive sleep apnea uncovered after high spinal anesthesia: a case report.

PURPOSE: To illustrate how a patient's previously undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea was uncovered after administration of a spinal anesthetic with a high sensory blockade, and to discuss possible explanations for this occurrence and anesthetic implications. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 55-yr-old male presented for osteotomy and open reduction and internal fixation of his left femur secondary to malunion from a previous fracture. Past medical history consisted of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, bipolar disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and cluster headaches. A combined spinal-epidural technique was chosen. Isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% (15 mg), was provided for the spinal anesthetic, along with 1 mg iv midazolam for procedural sedation and 0.5 mg iv droperidol for mild nausea. Throughout the operation, many apneic events were noted, often with respiratory efforts. The patient was easily arousable during each event and would breathe normally until the next episode. Vital signs remained stable throughout. Postoperative respirology consultation was requested, and a sleep study revealed severe obstructive sleep apnea. The patient was subsequently started on continuous positive airway pressure with marked improvement in symptoms, including the cluster headaches. CONCLUSION: Recent literature suggests that high spinal blockade can result in altered levels of arousal by producing a de-afferentation of peripheral proprioceptive and sensory stimuli necessary for maintaining an awake state. In patients predisposed to upper airway obstruction, decreasing the level of consciousness can result in airway obstruction as occurs during sleep in these patients. This serves to underline the importance of considering capnography for all cases utilizing a neuraxial anesthetic technique.

Sedation versus no sedation in the performance of diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a Canadian randomized controlled cost-outcome study.

BACKGROUND: Sedation is not required to perform a technically adequate gastroscopy (EGDE), but does improve patient satisfaction, comfort, and willingness to repeat particularly in the elderly and those with decreased pharyngeal sensitivity. The comparative cost-efficacy of sedation versus no sedation remains poorly characterized. AIM: To compare the cost-efficacy of diagnostic EGDE with and without sedation in an adult ambulatory Canadian population. METHODS: A double-blind randomized controlled trial assigned patients to sedation versus placebo. "Successful endoscopy" was considered an EGDE rated 4/4 in technical adequacy (1 = inadequate to 4 = totally adequate), and 1-2/5 in patient self-reported comfort (1 = acceptable to 5 = unacceptable). Secondary outcomes included recovery room time, patient satisfaction alone, and willingness to repeat the procedure. Cost data were obtained using a published, institutional activity-based costing methodology. Analysis was intention to treat using standard univariate and multivariate methods. RESULTS: 419 patients (mean age 54.5, 48% male) were randomized (N = 210 active vs N = 209 placebo). Among patients randomized to active medication 76% of procedures were "successful" (placebo 46%), 79% were satisfied with their level of comfort (placebo 47%), and willingness to repeat was 81% (placebo 65%). We observed a 10% crossover rate from placebo to active medications. The use of sedation was the major determinant of successful endoscopy (OR = 3.8; 95% CI: 2.5-5.7), but contributed to an increased recovery room time (29 vs 15 min; p < 0.0001). The expected cost of an additional successful endoscopy using sedation was $90.06 (CDN). In a planned subgroup analysis, among the elderly (>75; N = 53) unsedated endoscopy became the dominant approach. Indeed, in this population, a trend was observed favoring the effectiveness of placebo (63%) versus active medication (57%) (OR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.25-2.3) and was less costly resulting in $450 savings/unsedated EGDE. CONCLUSIONS: In the average Canadian ambulatory adult population, sedated diagnostic EGDE is more costly but remains an efficacious strategy by increasing the rate of successful endoscopies, patient satisfaction, and willingness to repeat. However, among the elderly (>75 yr), an unsedated strategy may be more cost-efficacious.

Assessing clinical generalizability in sedation studies of upper GI endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Prior endoscopic studies evaluating conscious sedation have recruited only a small proportion of the patients actually approached. The generalizability of such results to an unselected adult ambulatory care population is thus questionable. The objectives of this study were to determine the characteristics of patients who refused inclusion in a randomized controlled trial of sedation and to compare these characteristics to those of patients who agreed to participate. METHODS: Patients who refused participation in a randomized controlled trial of sedation completed standardized questionnaires addressing demographic data and possible confounding variables, and they also completed a validated anxiety questionnaire. Characteristics associated with refusal to participate in the randomized controlled trial were assessed by using uni- and multivariate analysis. Exploratory comparisons of outcomes between both groups included self-reported satisfaction with level of comfort and technical adequacy. RESULTS: Of 302 patients screened, 203 refused to participate in the randomized controlled trial. The most common reason for refusal was the request for no sedation (135/203). A total of 163 were enrolled in this synchronous study. Patients who refused to participate exhibited 3 distinguishing characteristics: prior treatment for an anxiety disorder (risk difference 9.4%: 95% CI[3%, 17%]), use of analgesic medication (risk difference 10.4%: 95% CI[2%, 19%]), and prior experience with EGD (risk difference 17.9: 95% CI[5%, 30%]). Only upper endoscopy experience was predictive of refusal to participate in the randomized controlled trial. No differences in outcomes existed between patients randomized to sedation and those refusing the randomized controlled trial who chose to receive sedative medication. Patients who refused participation in the randomized controlled trial and who underwent upper endoscopy without sedation were more satisfied than patients randomized to placebo (1.33 vs. 2.58; risk difference -1.25: 95% CI[-0.38, -2.1]). Moreover, the procedure in these patients was more adequate technically (4.86 vs. 4.18; risk difference 0.68: 95% CI[0.21, 1.13]). CONCLUSIONS: Characteristics of patients accepting and refusing randomization were highly similar, differing only with regard to upper endoscopy experience. An exploratory analysis of outcomes suggests that randomized controlled trial results may be biased in a direction that may underestimate the benefits of not administering sedative medication in a real-life setting.