Acute cerebrovascular disease occurring after hospital discharge for labor and delivery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The risk of stroke and other postpartum cerebrovascular disease (CVD) occurring after hospital discharge for labor and delivery is uncertain. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using administrative databases to identify all pregnant women who were hospitalized for labor and delivery at nonfederal, acute care hospitals in California from 2005 to 2011 and who were discharged without an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis of CVD. The primary outcome was an acute CVD composite defined as any ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, pituitary apoplexy, carotid/vertebral artery dissection, hypertensive encephalopathy, or other acute CVD occurring after hospital discharge and before 6 weeks after labor and delivery. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the incidence of postdischarge CVD. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between selected baseline factors and postdischarge CVD. RESULTS: The rate of any postdischarge acute CVD was 14.8 per 100 000 patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.2-16.5). Risk factors for any acute CVD were eclampsia (odds ratio [OR], 10.1; 95% CI, 3.09-32.8), chronic kidney disease (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 2.5-11.8), black race (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.9-3.3), preeclampsia (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.6-2.8), pregnancy-related hematologic disorders (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3-2.5), and age (OR, 1.5 per decade; 95% CI, 1.3-1.8). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of postpartum acute CVD after hospital discharge for labor and delivery is similar to rates reported for all postpartum events in previous publications, suggesting that a substantial proportion of postpartum CVD occurs after discharge.

Risk of a thrombotic event after the 6-week postpartum period.

BACKGROUND: The postpartum state is associated with a substantially increased risk of thrombosis. It is uncertain to what extent this heightened risk persists beyond the conventionally defined 6-week postpartum period. METHODS: Using claims data on all discharges from nonfederal emergency departments and acute care hospitals in California, we identified women who were hospitalized for labor and delivery between January 1, 2005, and June 30, 2010. We used validated diagnosis codes to identify a composite primary outcome of ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction, or venous thromboembolism. We then used conditional logistic regression to assess each patient's likelihood of a first thrombotic event during sequential 6-week periods after delivery, as compared with the corresponding 6-week period 1 year later. RESULTS: Among the 1,687,930 women with a first recorded delivery, 1015 had a thrombotic event (248 cases of stroke, 47 cases of myocardial infarction, and 720 cases of venous thromboembolism) in the period of 1 year plus up to 24 weeks after delivery. The risk of primary thrombotic events was markedly higher within 6 weeks after delivery than in the same period 1 year later, with 411 events versus 38 events, for an absolute risk difference of 22.1 events (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.6 to 24.6) per 100,000 deliveries and an odds ratio of 10.8 (95% CI, 7.8 to 15.1). There was also a modest but significant increase in risk during the period of 7 to 12 weeks after delivery as compared with the same period 1 year later, with 95 versus 44 events, for an absolute risk difference of 3.0 events (95% CI, 1.6 to 4.5) per 100,000 deliveries and an odds ratio of 2.2 (95% CI, 1.5 to 3.1). Risks of thrombotic events were not significantly increased beyond the first 12 weeks after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients in our study, an elevated risk of thrombosis persisted until at least 12 weeks after delivery. However, the absolute increase in risk beyond 6 weeks after delivery was low. (Funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.).

Mid-term results following ulna shortening osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Successful short-term results of diaphyseal ulna shortening osteotomy are documented in both idiopathic and post-traumatic ulnar impaction. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid-term outcomes of ulnar shortening osteotomy with respect to radiographic assessment of corrected alignment and healing as well as patient satisfaction, pain, and function assessed using the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective case series included follow-up of 33 patients with ulnar impaction syndrome following ulna shortening osteotomy at a minimum of 5 years. Patient-rated outcomes included satisfaction, pain assessment, and DASH score. Pre- and postoperative radiographs were reviewed to quantify ulnar variance and osteotomy union rates. Subsequent operations were also recorded. RESULTS: Average follow-up was 10 years (range, 5-20 years). Eighty-eight percent of patients reported they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure and 91% reported they would have the same procedure again. Average pain rating was 2 out of 10 at final follow-up. The mean DASH score was 11 (range, 0-39). Removal of hardware was performed in 10 patients (30%). The overall rate of reoperation was 45%. CONCLUSIONS: Ulna shortening osteotomy yields reliable midterm satisfaction and pain relief in patients with idiopathic and post-traumatic ulnar impaction syndrome. Reoperation is frequent. Consistent with results of short-term follow-up, plate irritation requiring removal remains the most common cause for reoperation over time.