Comparison between emergent and elective delivery in women with placenta accreta.

OBJECTIVE: To identify possible predictive factors associated with emergent delivery of antenatally diagnosed placenta accreta and to estimate association between emergent delivery and adverse maternal outcomes in comparison to elective delivery. METHODS: A retrospective study of all patients with placenta accreta diagnosed antenatally and confirmed pathologically, who were delivered between 2000 and 2010. Baseline characteristics and outcomes of emergent deliveries were compared with elective deliveries. RESULTS: A total of 48 women met inclusion criteria, of which 24 (50%) were delivered emergently. 79.2% of emergent deliveries were preceded by antenatal bleeding (p = 0.0005), and 62.5% were preceded by recurrent bleeding (p = 0.001). Comparison of elective and emergent deliveries revealed no clinical significant difference in maternal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal bleeding is associated with an increased risk of emergent delivery. Emergent delivery in a tertiary care facility with immediate access to blood bank and ICU capabilities does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal outcomes. Consequently, some patients may be candidates for delivery later than 34 weeks of gestation.

Cesarean hysterectomy requiring emergent thoracotomy: a case report of a complication of placenta percreta requiring a multidisciplinary effort.

BACKGROUND: Currently a leading indication for cesarean hysterectomy among multiparous women, placenta accreta is associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality. CASE: A 34-year-old woman with a pregnancy complicated by placenta previa and previous cesarean deliveries was transferred to our institution following late diagnosis of placenta percreta. She underwent cesarean hysterectomy complicated by substantial hemorrhage. Massive blood product replacement precipitated severe hyperkaIemia and hypocalcemia with resultant asystole. Cardiac bypass with concomitant obligate anticoagulation was temporarily required while normalizing the patient's electrolytes. Numerous surgical and medical interventions were required to achieve hemostasis, and the patient survived to hospital discharge with moderate residual morbidity. CONCLUSION: Optimal management of placenta accreta requires a multidisciplinary approach within a tertiary center possessing extensive resources necessary for managing the most severe complications.

Predictors of massive blood loss in women with placenta accreta.

OBJECTIVE: We examined predictors of massive blood loss for women with placenta accreta who had undergone hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of women who underwent peripartum hysterectomy for pathologically confirmed placenta accreta was performed. Characteristics that are associated with massive blood loss (≥ 5000 mL) and large-volume transfusion (≥ 10 units packed red cells) were examined. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were identified. The median blood loss was 3000 mL, with a median of 5 units of red cells transfused. There was no association among maternal age, gravidity, number of previous deliveries, number of previous cesarean deliveries, degree of placental invasion, or antenatal bleeding and massive blood loss or large-volume transfusion (P > .05). Among women with a known diagnosis of placenta accreta, 41.7% had an estimated blood loss of ≥ 5000 mL, compared with 12.0% of those who did not receive the diagnosis antenatally with ultrasound scanning (P = .01). CONCLUSION: There are few reliable predictors of massive blood loss in women with placenta accreta.

Neonatal and obstetric outcome of pregnancies conceived by ICSI or IVF.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is currently widely used despite concern regarding pregnancy complications and outcome, specifically congenital malformations. The aim of this study was to compare the obstetric and neonatal outcome of pregnancies conceived by IVF and ICSI. Long-term follow-up was achieved through questionnaires sent to women who conceived after IVF/ICSI treatment. Information was obtained regarding 219 pregnancies (322 children) conceived after ICSI and 145 pregnancies (201 children) conceived after IVF. There were no significant differences between the ICSI and regular IVF pregnancies in regard to the couple's characteristics and the obstetric complications. The mean +/- SD birth weight of the singletons conceived after ICSI was similar to that of singletons conceived after IVF: 3001 +/- 703 versus 3059 +/- 643 g respectively. In both groups there was a high incidence of multiple pregnancies, Caesarean sections, prematurity and low birth weights. The incidence of congenital malformations following IVF or ICSI pregnancies was similar, 6.3 and 7.7% respectively, but was increased compared with the general Israeli population. In summary, concern remains regarding the incidence of congenital malformations after IVF and the long-term outcome of ICSI pregnancies. However, the present results are reassuring with regard to the obstetric and neonatal outcome of pregnancies conceived by ICSI compared with those achieved by IVF.