Venous Thromboembolism Risk Factors in Women With Obesity Who Undergo Cesarean Delivery.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of maternal mortality. Obesity and cesarean delivery are established risk factors for pregnancy-related VTE. We identified additional risk factors among patients with obesity who underwent a cesarean delivery to identify those who need VTE prophylaxis. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network (MFMU) Cesarean Registry Database using a case-control design. Cases were identified as women with obesity having a pre-pregnancy body mass index of >30 kg/m2, who underwent cesarean delivery and subsequently developed deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). These women were compared to a control group of women with obesity who underwent cesarean delivery but did not develop DVT or PE. Analysis of risk factors associated with VTE was performed using Chi-Square test and Fisher's exact test. We identified 43 VTE cases and 172 controls in the MFMU database. Increased risk of VTE was noted in women with endometritis (OR of 4.58 [95% CI: 1.86-11.2, P = .0004]), receiving a blood transfusion (OR 17.07 [95% CI: 4.46-65.3, P = .0001]), having a coagulopathy (OR 27.73 [95% CI: 3.24-237.25, P = .0003]), and urinary tract infection (OR 2.39 [95% CI: 1.08-5.28, P = .03]). Important risk factors for VTE in women with obesity who undergo cesarean delivery include endometritis, intra- or post-operative transfusion, coagulopathy, and urinary tract infection. The presence of one or more of these factors may help guide provider decision-making regarding whether to administer thromboprophylaxis.

Acceptability of intramuscular injection of tranexamic acid in postpartum hemorrhage prevention.

BACKGROUND: Newer research comparing routes of medication administration has extended beyond efficacy as a primary endpoint to incorporate patient preference. However, little is known about the preferences of pregnant women in terms of routes of medication administration, specifically with regards to hemorrhage prevention and control. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand the preferences of pregnant women in terms of medical interventions to prevent hemorrhage at the time of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Surveys were distributed from April 2022 to September 2022 using electronic tablets at a single urban center with an annual delivery volume of 3000 women per year to women >18 years of age who were either currently pregnant or have been pregnant in the past. Subjects were asked to choose their preferred route of administration from the following options: intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous. The primary outcome was patient preference on the route of medication administration during a hemorrhage event. RESULTS: The study cohort included 300 patients, mostly African American (39.8%) followed by White (32.1%), and the majority of the participants ranged from 30 to 34 years of age (31.7%). When asked which method of administration they would prefer to prevent hemorrhage before birth, the results were as follows: 31.1% would prefer intravenous, 23.0% had no preference, 21.2% were unsure, 15.9% preferred subcutaneous, and 8.8% preferred intramuscular administration. In addition, 69.4% of respondents reported that they have never declined or avoided intramuscular administration of medication if recommended by their physician. CONCLUSION: Although some survey participants preferred an intravenous route of administration, 68.9% of subjects were unsure, had no preference, or preferred nonintravenous routes. This information is helpful particularly in low-resource settings where intravenous treatments are not readily available or in urgent clinical situations in which intravenous administration routes are not easily obtainable in high-risk patients.