Medications for Pregnant Women With Obesity: Special Considerations.

Pregnant women with obesity are at increased risk of a multitude of complications of pregnancy and adverse perinatal outcomes. The risk of some of these complications, such as neural tube defects or preeclampsia, may be mitigated by some medications. Other complications, such as diabetes, venous thromboembolism, and infections, require treatment with medications. Given the changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics during pregnancy, which is further enhanced by obesity, the optimal medication and its dose is often researched. This chapter further explores the different complications and common medications that women with obesity are likely to require.

The Case for Standardizing Cesarean Delivery Technique: Seeing the Forest for the Trees.

In this Commentary, we explain the case for a standardized cesarean delivery surgical technique. There are three strong arguments for a standardized approach to cesarean delivery, the most common major abdominal surgery performed in the world. First, standardization within institutions improves safety, efficiency, and effectiveness in health care delivery. Second, surgical training among obstetrics and gynecology residents would become more consistent across hospitals and regions, and proficiency in performing cesarean delivery measurable. Finally, standardization would strengthen future trials of cesarean delivery technique by minimizing the potential for aspects of the surgery which are not being studied to bias results. Before 2013, more than 155 randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses or systematic reviews were published comparing various aspects of cesarean delivery surgical technique. Since 2013, an additional 216 similar studies have strengthened those recommendations and offered evidence to recommend additional cesarean delivery techniques. However, this amount of cesarean delivery technique data creates a forest for the trees problem, making it difficult for a clinician to synthesize this volume of data. In response to this difficulty, we propose a comprehensive, evidence-based and standardized approach to cesarean delivery technique.

Improving Obstetric Hypertensive Emergency Treatment in a Tertiary Care Women's Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: To assess treatment outcomes associated with an obstetric hypertensive emergency quality improvement intervention instituted in a tertiary care women's emergency department. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study of pregnant (20 weeks of gestation or greater) and postpartum (6 weeks of gestation or less) women treated for hypertensive emergency (systolic blood pressure [BP] 160 mm Hg or greater, diastolic 110 mm Hg or greater, or both) before and after a quality improvement intervention. A multidisciplinary task force revised clinical guidelines and nursing policy, updated electronic order sets, and provided staff education and clinical management aids. Data were collected by electronic chart review. The primary outcome was achieving goal BP (systolic 150 mm Hg or less and diastolic 100 mm Hg or less) within an hour of initial therapy. Secondary outcomes included time from first severe BP to 1) first antihypertensive treatment and 2) goal BP. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics in the preintervention (n=173; September 2014 to September 2015) and postintervention (n=173; December 2015 to November 2016) groups, including gestational age, days postpartum, maternal age, race-ethnicity, or comorbidities. We found no significant difference in primary outcome frequency: 41% achieved goal BP within 60 minutes preintervention vs 47% postintervention (P=.28). Median time from first severe BP to first treatment was unchanged (30 minutes preintervention vs 29 minutes postintervention, P=.058); however, median time from first severe BP to goal BP decreased significantly (122 vs 95 minutes, P=.04). Confirmation of hypertensive emergency within 15 minutes (recommended) was only achieved in approximately 20% of women in either group. More women initially received intravenous antihypertensive treatment after the intervention (52% preintervention vs 80% postintervention, P<.001). CONCLUSION: A quality improvement initiative was not associated with more women achieving BP control within an hour of obstetric hypertensive emergency treatment, but was associated with decreased time to achieve control. This suggests improved clinical practice after the intervention.

Prenatal Care Adherence and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admission or Stillbirth among Women with Gestational and Preexisting Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there was an association between prenatal care adherence and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission or stillbirth, and adverse perinatal outcomes in women with preexisting diabetes mellitus (DM) and gestational DM (GDM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study among women with DM and GDM at a Diabetes in Pregnancy Program at an academic institution between 2006 and 2014. Adherence with prenatal care was the percentage of prenatal appointments attended divided by those scheduled. Adherence was divided into quartiles, with the first quartile defined as lower adherence and compared with the other quartiles. RESULTS: There were 443 women with DM and 499 with GDM. Neonates of women with DM and lower adherence had higher rates of NICU admission or stillbirth (55 vs. 39%; p = 0.003). A multivariable logistic regression showed that the lower adherence group had higher likelihood of NICU admission (adjusted odds ratio: 1.61 [1.03-2.5]; p = 0.035). Those with lower adherence had worse glycemic monitoring and more hospitalizations. Among those with GDM, most outcomes were similar between groups including NICU admission or stillbirth. CONCLUSION: Women with DM with lower adherence had higher rates of NICU admission and worse glycemic control. Most outcomes among women with GDM with lower adherence were similar.

Insulin Delivery Method and Admission for Glycemic Control in Pregnant Women with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there was a difference in glycemic control admissions or perinatal outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) treated with multiple daily injections (MDIs) versus continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of women with type 1 DM with a singleton gestation who delivered between 2006 and 2014 at a tertiary hospital and received care at a dedicated DM clinic. Women who used MDI were compared with those who used CSII. The primary outcome was glycemic control admission during pregnancy. Secondary outcomes included adverse perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: There were a total of 156 women; 107 treated with MDI and 49 with CSII. Women treated with MDI had higher rates of glycemic control admissions versus those treated with CSII (68.2 vs. 30.6%, p < 0.001). Adjusting for age, ethnicity, public insurer, duration of DM, first recorded hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and DM comorbidities, the likelihood of admission remained higher in women on MDI versus CSII (AOR 5.9 [1.7-20.6]). Women treated with MDI had higher rates of postprandial hypoglycemia. Other perinatal outcomes were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: Women with type 1 DM treated with MDI were more likely to have glycemic control admissions and postprandial hypoglycemia than those treated with CSII.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Frequency of Blood Glucose Monitoring: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether testing blood glucose four times daily compared with four times every other day would lead to similar birth weights among patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: This noninferiority randomized controlled trial was conducted at five centers. After receiving a diagnosis of GDM, women tested their blood glucose every day for 7 days. After that period, compliant women without hyperglycemia requiring treatment were randomized to either blood glucose testing four times a day or every other day. Noninferiority would be declared if the mean birth weight in the every-other-day group was no higher than 165 g (5% difference assuming an average birth weight of 3,296 g) compared with the four times a day group. A total sample size of 286 women allowed noninferiority to be tested (one-sided .05 level of significance). RESULTS: From May 2013 to May 2016, of the 293 women with GDM who were randomized, 149 (51%) were tested four times a day and 144 (49%) were tested every other day. Between the two groups, there were no significant differences with regard to need for medical treatment, induction, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, rate of preeclampsia, or shoulder dystocia. Birth weight was similar between both groups and the upper bound of the 90% confidence interval (CI) was less than 165 g, establishing noninferiority with a mean difference of -41 g (90% CI -137 to 54 g). Rate of compliance with blood glucose testing was higher in the every-other-day group (89% compared with 92%, P<.01). The differences in rates of macrosomia and birth weight greater than the 95th percentile were not clinically significant. Neonatal outcomes including neonatal hypoglycemia were similar. CONCLUSION: Among patients with well-controlled GDM, testing blood glucose values every other day did not increase birth weight, although it did increase compliance with testing when compared with women who tested every day. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01818557.

Evaluating the Performance of Ultrasound Screening for Congenital Heart Disease: A Descriptive Cohort Study.

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of abnormal fetal echocardiogram after normal detailed anatomy ultrasound when both are performed by maternal-fetal medicine specialists. Study Design Retrospective review of women who underwent detailed anatomy ultrasound and fetal echocardiography between 16 and 26 weeks' gestation at a single center. Women included had at least one indication for fetal echocardiography as recommended by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and normal cardiac anatomy on initial detailed anatomy ultrasound. Women with previous abnormal ultrasound, extracardiac anomalies, and abnormal or incomplete cardiac anatomy on initial examinations were excluded. The primary outcome was abnormal fetal echocardiogram, defined as a structural cardiac anomaly. Results A total of 1,000 women (1,052 fetuses) were included. The most common indication for echocardiography was family history of congenital heart disease. Five fetuses had an abnormal echocardiogram (0.5%, 95% confidence interval: 0.2-1.1%), only one of which altered care. The other four were suspected ventricular septal defects; of these, three were not seen on postnatal cardiac imaging. Conclusion The rate of abnormal fetal echocardiogram after a normal detailed anatomy ultrasound interpreted by maternal-fetal medicine specialists is low. Fetal echocardiography as a second screening test is of low clinical utility and unlikely to be cost-effective in this setting.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Cefazolin in Serum and Adipose Tissue From Overweight and Obese Women Undergoing Cesarean Delivery.

The optimal antibiotic prophylaxis dosing regimen of cefazolin for cesarean delivery (CD) in overweight and obese women is unknown. This study was done to compare the duration that cefazolin concentrations remain above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in adipose tissue (AT). Serum and AT concentrations from 3 previous studies in CD patients were comodeled using the nonparametric adaptive grid algorithm in Pmetrics. AT concentrations for 5000 overweight and obese patients receiving 1-, 2-, and 3-g cefazolin regimens were simulated to calculate the probability that free drug concentrations remained above an MIC of 2 µg/mL at 1, 1.5, and 2 hours after administration. Sixty-seven patients (mean body mass index 38.7 kg/m2 ; range 25.5-55.8 kg/m2 ) provided data. A 2-compartment model with 1 of the compartments representing AT fit the data best. Final model parameters were clearance 7.38 ± 5.34 L/h, volume of central compartment 11.8±9.36 L, and AT volume of distribution 80.12 ± 55.47 L. The mean±SD (median) penetration ratio of cefazolin into AT was 0.81 ± 2.06 (0.62). At 1.5 and 2 hours, 1-, 2-, and 3-g regimens achieved AT concentrations above the MIC in 71.2%, 92.4%, and 94.7%, and 55.7%, 86.8%, and 91.7%, respectively, of simulated patients. Cefazolin achieved good penetration into AT. Because CD duration is commonly less than 1.5 hours, a 2-g dose has a high probability of providing AT concentrations above the target pathogens' MIC for overweight and obese females. A second dose may be considered for longer surgeries.

Prenatal Screening for Thrombophilias: Indications and Controversies, an Update.

Pregnancy is associated with increased clotting potential and decreased fibrinolysis. Women with thrombophilias have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy. At least 50% of cases of venous thromboembolism in pregnant women are associated with an inherited or acquired thrombophilia. Acquired thrombophilias have also been linked with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as recurrent pregnancy loss, intrauterine fetal demise, early onset severe preeclampsia, placental abruption, and fetal growth restriction. This article addresses indications for thrombophilia testing, the appropriate laboratory tests, and timing of testing to ensure reliability of results.

Evidence-Based Cesarean Delivery for the Nonobstetrician.

Cesarean delivery (CD) is one of the most common major surgeries performed in the United States and worldwide. Surgical techniques evaluated in well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that demonstrate maternal benefit should be incorporated into practice. The objective of this review is to provide a summary of surgical techniques of the procedure and review the evidence basis for them for the nonobstetrician. The following techniques with the strongest evidence should be commonly performed, when feasible: (1) prophylactic antibiotics with a single dose of ampicillin or first-generation cephalosporin prior to skin incision; (2) postpartum hemorrhage prevention with oxytocin infusion of 10 to 40 IU in 1 L crystalloid over 4 to 8 hours; (3) low transverse skin incision; (4) blunt or sharp subcutaneous and fascial expansion; (5) blunt, cephalad-caudad uterine incision expansion; (6) spontaneous placental removal; (7) blunt-tip needle usage during closure; (8) subcutaneous suture closure (running or interrupted) if thickness is ≥2 cm; and (9) skin closure with suture. Although the number of RCTs designed to optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes of this common procedure is encouraging, further work is needed to minimize surgical morbidity. Optimal methods for postpartum hemorrhage prevention, adhesion prevention, and venous thromboembolism prophylaxis remain ongoing areas of active research, with outcomes that could markedly improve maternal morbidity and mortality. If evidence of a surgical technique appears preferred over another, clinicians should be comfortable adopting the evidence-based technique when performing and teaching CD.

Cefazolin prophylaxis in obese women undergoing cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare adipose tissue concentration among obese women receiving 2 g compared with 3 g of precesarean cefazolin prophylaxis. METHODS: This was a double-blind randomized controlled trial of women with singleton gestations and body mass indexes (BMIs) of 30 or greater at their first prenatal visit undergoing cesarean delivery at term. Women were randomly allocated, stratified by BMI, to receive 2 g or 3 g of cefazolin. Subcutaneous adipose tissue was harvested twice: before (opening) fascial incision and after (closing) fascial closure. The primary outcome was opening adipose tissue cefazolin concentration, measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS: From April 2013 to July 2014, 58 women were enrolled, 57 included in the analysis: 28 in the 2-g group and 29 in the 3-g group. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Median opening adipose tissue concentration was similar between the 2-g and 3-g groups (9.4 [interquartile range 5.1-13.4] compared with 11.7 [interquartile range 7-18.3] micrograms/g, P=.12). The percentage of women with opening concentrations above 8 micrograms/g, the minimally inhibitory concentration of cefazolin for Staphylococcus species, was similar (61% compared with 72%, P=.35). All samples were above 2 micrograms/g, the minimally inhibitory concentration for Enterobacteriaceae. Closing adipose tissue concentrations and stratified analyses were consistent with the overall analysis. CONCLUSION: In obese women undergoing cesarean delivery, prophylaxis with 3 g of cefazolin did not significantly increase adipose tissue concentration. Thus, our data do not support recommendations for 3-g dosing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Prevention and management of postpartum hemorrhage: a comparison of 4 national guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare 4 national guidelines for the prevention and management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). STUDY DESIGN: We performed a descriptive analysis of guidelines from the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists practice bulletin, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists (RCOG), and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada on PPH to determine differences, if any, with regard to definitions, risk factors, prevention, treatment, and resuscitation. RESULTS: PPH was defined differently in all 4 guidelines. Risk factors that were emphasized in the guidelines conferred a high risk of catastrophic bleeding (eg, previous cesarean delivery and placenta previa). All organizations, except the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists, recommended active management of the third stage of labor for primary prevention of PPH in all vaginal deliveries. Oxytocin was recommended universally as the medication of choice for PPH prevention in vaginal deliveries. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and RCOG recommended development of a massive transfusion protocol to manage PPH resuscitation. Recommendations for nonsurgical treatment strategies such as uterine packing and balloon tamponade varied across all guidelines. All organizations recommended transfer to a tertiary care facility for suspicion of abnormal placentation. Specific indications for hysterectomy were not available in any guideline, with RCOG recommending hysterectomy "sooner rather than later" with the assistance of a second consultant. CONCLUSION: Substantial variation exists in PPH prevention and management guidelines among 4 national organizations that highlights the need for better evidence and more consistent synthesis of the available evidence with regard to a leading cause of maternal death.

Perinatal outcomes with normal compared with elevated umbilical artery systolic-to-diastolic ratios in fetal growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the composite neonatal morbidity of pregnancies with fetal growth restriction (estimated fetal weight less than the 10th percentile) and normal compared with elevated umbilical artery systolic-to-diastolic ratios. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of all pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction with normal compared with elevated umbilical artery systolic-to-diastolic ratios from January 2008 to July 2012 at a single center. Exclusions were multiple gestation, prenatally diagnosed fetal anomalies, delivery at outside institution, and absent or reversed end diastolic flow. Maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes including composite neonatal morbidity were compared between groups. RESULTS: Of 11,785 pregnancies evaluated, 789 (7%) were diagnosed with fetal growth restriction. Among 512 that met inclusion criteria, 394 (77%) had normal and 118 (23%) had elevated umbilical artery systolic-to-diastolic ratios. When fetal growth-restricted pregnancies with elevated umbilical artery systolic-to-diastolic ratios were delivered at 37 weeks of gestation were compared with those with normal umbilical artery systolic-to-diastolic ratios delivered at 39 weeks of gestation, there was no difference in the rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission (101 [25.7%] compared with 51 [43.2%]; crude odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.5-4.0; adjusted OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.69-2.71) or composite neonatal morbidity (60 [15.2%] compared with 24 [20.3%]; crude OR 1.42, 95% CI 0.84-2.40; adjusted OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.45-1.84). CONCLUSION: Composite neonatal morbidity is comparable in fetal growth-restricted pregnancies with elevated compared with normal umbilical artery systolic-to-diastolic ratios when delivered at 37 and 39 weeks of gestation, respectively. Planning delivery of pregnancies with fetal growth restriction and elevated systolic-to-diastolic ratios and without other complications at 37 weeks of gestation results in good outcomes.

Iatrogenic Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes after Fetoscopic Laser Ablative Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: To describe the incidence and risk factors for iatrogenic premature preterm rupture of membranes (iPPROM) after fetoscopic laser surgery for the twin-to-twin-transfusion syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all patients who have undergone fetoscopic laser surgery at a single fetal treatment center since 2000. We defined iPPROM as spontaneous rupture of membranes before the onset of labor prior to 34 weeks of gestation. The iPPROM cohort was compared to the cohort without iPPROM for several preoperative, operative, and delivery characteristics. RESULTS: Ninety-two consecutive patients were reviewed. The overall rate of iPPROM was 18.5% (n = 17). The rates of iPPROM within 1 and 4 weeks were 5.4 and 10.9%, respectively. The median interval from surgery to delivery was significantly shorter in the iPPROM group (21 vs. 62 days, p = 0.01). The mean gestational age at delivery (27.0 vs. 31.1 weeks, p = 0.02) was lower in the iPPROM group. No other characteristics studied differed significantly between the groups. DISCUSSION: The incidence of iPPROM was substantially lower than in recent multicenter reports; however, no risk factors of iPPROM could be identified. Whether this is related to variations in surgical or anesthetic management will require further investigation.

Early term versus term delivery in the management of fetal growth restriction: a comparison of two protocols.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare two management protocols in pregnancies diagnosed with fetal growth restriction (FGR). STUDY DESIGN: All singleton pregnancies diagnosed and managed with FGR at our institution during two protocol periods were analyzed. The early term protocol (January 2008-February 2010) specified delivery at 37(0/7) weeks if antenatal testing was reassuring, but did not specify the timing of delivery if umbilical artery (UA) Doppler systolic:diastolic (S:D) ratios were elevated (>95th percentile for gestational age [GA]). The term protocol (March 2010-July 2012) specified delivery at 39(0/7) weeks with normal S:D ratios and 37(0/7) weeks with elevated S:D ratios when antenatal testing was reassuring. RESULTS: There were 228 and 312 women in the early term and term protocol, respectively, who met inclusion criteria. Compared with the early term group, the term group had an increased median GA at delivery (37.1 vs. 38.6%, p < 0.001), decreased deliveries less than 37(0/7) weeks (37 vs. 24%, p = 0.01) and decreased neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions (38 vs. 28%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: A protocol specifying delivery at 39(0/7) weeks when UA S:D ratios are normal and delivery at 37(0/7) weeks when UA S:D ratios are elevated when other antenatal testing is reassuring in FGR: (1) prolonged gestation, (2) decreased preterm births, and (3) decreased NICU admissions.

Association of Montevideo units with uterine rupture in women undergoing a trial of labor.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if an association exists between Montevideo units (MVUs) and uterine rupture in women undergoing trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC). STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study of women who underwent a TOLAC, comparing uterine rupture (n = 9) to successful vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) (n = 48) and failed TOLAC (n = 35). MVUs were calculated in 12 10-minute intervals prior to uterine rupture, cesarean delivery, or complete dilation in the VBAC group. MVUs were compared between groups by Wilcoxon rank sum test. The pattern of change of MVUs over time was examined by linear regression mixed models. RESULTS: The MVUs were similar among all groups (medians ranged from 140-175 [VBAC], 145-190 [TOLAC], and 130-195 [ruptures]). The analysis of pattern of change in MVUs over time demonstrated no difference within the VBAC group (p = 0.22) or the failed TOLAC group (p = 0.87), or between groups (VBAC and rupture [p = 0.56], failed TOLAC and rupture [p = 0.37]). A post-hoc power analysis showed a mean difference of 50 MVUs (SD 45) between VBAC and rupture and 55 MVUs (SD 45) between failed TOLAC and rupture can be detected with a power of 80% at a significance of 0.05. CONCLUSION: There is no association between MVUs and uterine rupture in women undergoing a TOLAC.

Progesterone.

Progestogens are a promising treatment in the prevention of spontaneous preterm birth in high-risk women. In women with a prior history of spontaneous preterm delivery and in women with a sonographic shortened cervix, there is considerable evidence supporting a benefit of progestogen therapy in the reduction of preterm delivery. In women with multifetal gestations, progestogen therapy has not been shown to be beneficial. Data are inconclusive in women with arrested preterm labor. Questions remain about the mechanism of progestogen action, the optimal type of progestogen, the best mode of administration, and the ideal dosing regimen.

Monochorionic twins discordant for mosaic trisomy 14.

Monochorionic-diamniotic twins are usually monozygotic twins and known to be associated with adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Cases of discordant karyotype of monozygotic twins are rare and most involves sex chromosomes. We present the first case of monochorionic twins with discordant karyotype manifested as mosaic trisomy 14 in one twin (B) and a normal karyotype in the other (A). We describe the postmortem pathological and imaging findings of the trisomic twin and for the first time neuropathological findings of this entity. Metaphase chromosome analysis of twin B using fetal tissue showed a 47,XX, +14 karyotype. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) using fetal tissue revealed 38% mosaicism. CMA with placental tissue from both sides demonstrated normal karyotype and confirmed monozygosity, highlighting the value of array based testing on diagnosing mosaicism and zygosity.

Treatment of severe insulin resistance in pregnancy with 500 units per milliliter of concentrated insulin.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women with severe insulin resistance treated with 500 units/mL concentrated insulin. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of gravid women with severe insulin resistance (need for greater than 100 units of insulin per injection or greater than 200 units/d) treated with either 500 units/mL concentrated insulin or conventional insulin therapy. We performed a two-part analysis: 1) between gravid women treated with and without 500 units/mL concentrated insulin; and 2) among gravid women treated with 500 units/mL concentrated insulin, comparing glycemic control before and after its initiation. RESULTS: Seventy-three pregnant women with severe insulin resistance were treated with 500 units/mL concentrated insulin and 78 with conventional insulin regimens. Patients treated with 500 units/mL concentrated insulin were older and more likely to have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Average body mass index was comparable between both groups (38.6 compared with 40.4, P=.11) as were obstetric and perinatal outcomes and glycemic control during the last week of gestation. Within the 500 units/mL concentrated insulin cohort, after initiation of this medication, fasting and postprandial blood glucose concentrations improved. However, the rates of blood glucose values less than 60 mg/dL and less than 50 mg/dL were higher in the 500 units/mL concentrated insulin group after initiation than before, 4.8% compared with 2.0% (P<.01) and 2.0% compared with 0.7% (P<.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of 500 units/mL concentrated insulin in severely obese insulin-resistant pregnant women confers similar glycemic control compared with traditional insulin regimens but may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Management of maxillofacial injuries with severe oronasal hemorrhage: a multicenter perspective.

BACKGROUND: Airway establishment and hemorrhage control may be difficult to achieve in patients with massive oronasal bleeding from maxillofacial injuries. This study was formulated to develop effective algorithms for managing these challenging injuries. METHODS: Trauma registries from nine trauma centers were queried over a 7-year period for injuries with abbreviated injury scale face >/= 3 and transfusion of >/=3 units of blood within 24 hours. Patients in whom no significant bleeding was attributed to maxillofacial trauma were excluded. Patient demographics, injury severity measures, airway management, hemostatic procedures, and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety patients were identified. Median injury severity scores for 60 blunt trauma patients was 34 versus 17 for 30 patients with penetrating wounds (p < 0.05). Initial airway management was by endotracheal intubation in 72 (80%) patients. Emergent cricothyrotomy and tracheostomy were necessary in 7 (8%) and 5 (6%) patients, respectively. Seventeen (57%) patients with penetrating wounds were taken directly to the operating room for airway control and initial efforts at hemostasis versus 12 (20%) patients with blunt trauma (p < 0.05). Anterior or posterior or both packing alone controlled bleeding in only 29% of patients in whom it was used. Transarterial embolization (TAE) was used in 12 (40%) patients with penetrating injuries and 20 (33%) patients with blunt trauma. TAE was successful for definitive control of hemorrhage in 87.5% of patients. Overall mortality rate was 24.4%, with 6 (7%) deaths directly attributable to maxillofacial injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Initial airway control was achieved by endotracheal intubation in most patients. Patients with penetrating wounds were more frequently taken directly to the operating room for airway management and initial efforts at hemostasis. Patients with blunt trauma were much more likely to have associated injuries which affected treatment priorities. TAE was highly successful in controlling hemorrhage.