Mirella Mourad

Pregnancy outcomes in patients with prior uterine rupture or dehiscence.

OBJECTIVE: To report obstetric outcomes in a series of women with prior uterine rupture or prior uterine dehiscence managed with a standardized protocol. METHODS: Series of patients delivered by a single maternal-fetal medicine practice from 2005 to 2013 with a history of uterine rupture or uterine dehiscence. Uterine rupture was defined as a clinically apparent, complete scar separation in labor or before labor. Uterine dehiscence was defined as an incomplete and clinically occult uterine scar separation with intact serosa. Patients with prior uterine rupture were delivered at approximately 36–37 weeks of gestation or earlier in the setting of preterm labor. Patients with prior uterine dehiscence were delivered at 37–39 weeks of gestation based on obstetric history, clinical findings, and ultrasonographic findings. Patients with prior uterine rupture or uterine dehiscence were followed with serial ultrasound scans to assess fetal growth and lower uterine segment integrity. Outcomes measured were severe morbidities (uterine rupture, hysterectomy, transfusion, cystotomy, bowel injury, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, thrombosis, reoperation, maternal death, perinatal death). RESULTS: Fourteen women (20 pregnancies) had prior uterine rupture and 30 women (40 pregnancies) had prior uterine dehiscence. In these 60 pregnancies, there was 0% severe morbidity noted (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.0–6.0%). Overall, 6.7% of patients had a uterine dehiscence seen at the time of delivery (95% CI 2.6–15.9%). Among women with prior uterine rupture, the rate was 5.0% (95% CI 0.9–23.6%), whereas among women with prior uterine dehiscence, the rate was 7.5% (95% CI 2.6–19.9%). CONCLUSION: Patients with prior uterine rupture or uterine dehiscence can have excellent outcomes in subsequent pregnancies if managed in a standardized manner, including cesarean delivery before the onset of labor or immediately at the onset of spontaneous preterm labor. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Effect of Resident Participation on Outcomes in High-Order Cesarean Deliveries.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of resident participation on outcomes in women undergoing high-order cesarean deliveries. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients in one obstetric practice undergoing a third- or greater order cesarean delivery from 2005 to 2014. Patients with placenta previa, accreta, or failed vaginal birth after cesarean delivery were excluded. We compared outcomes between patients whose operations were performed by two attendings with patients whose operations were performed by one attending and one resident. Regression analysis was performed to control for differences at baseline. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy patients were included, 189 (51%) of whom had two attendings and 181 (49%) of whom had one attending and one resident. The mean operative time was slightly but significantly less in the two=attending group (60.9±17.3 compared with 62.5±18.3 minutes, adjusted P=.038). Otherwise, there were no significant differences in measured outcomes between the groups, including wound complications, blood loss (estimated and drop in hemoglobin), blood transfusion, major maternal morbidity (hysterectomy, cystotomy, bowel injury, intensive care unit admission, thrombosis, reoperation, death), postoperative endometritis, and postoperative days in the hospital. Among patients in the resident group, there was no difference in outcomes between cases performed by a junior (first or second year) resident compared with a senior (third or fourth year) resident. CONCLUSION: Resident participation does not negatively affect outcomes in patients undergoing high-order cesarean deliveries. Residents should be included in these complicated cases because they can obtain a significant learning experience without compromising patient safety.

Risk factors for blood transfusion in patients undergoing high‐order Cesarean delivery

The objective was to identify risk factors associated with blood transfusion in patients undergoing high‐order Cesarean delivery (CD).

The effect of maternal obesity on outcomes in patients undergoing tertiary or higher cesarean delivery

Abstract Objective: To estimate the association between maternal obesity and adverse outcomes in patients without placenta previa or accreta undergoing a tertiary or higher cesarean delivery. Study design: Retrospective cohort of patients cared for by a single MFM practice undergoing a tertiary or higher cesarean delivery from 2005 to 2013. Patients attempting vaginal delivery and patients with placenta accreta and/or placenta previa were excluded. We estimated the association of maternal obesity (prepregnancy BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and maternal outcomes. The primary outcome was a composite of severe maternal morbidity (uterine rupture, hysterectomy, blood transfusion, cystotomy requiring repair, bowel injury requiring repair, intensive care unit admission, thrombosis, re-operation, or maternal death). Results: Three hundred and forty four patients met inclusion criteria, 73 (21.2%) of whom were obese. The composite outcome was significantly higher in the obese group (6.8% versus 1.8%, p = 0.024, aOR 4.36, 95% CI 1.21, 15.75). The incidence of several individual adverse outcomes were also increased in obese women, including blood transfusion (4.1% versus 0.7%, p = 0.033, aOR 7.36, 95% CI 1.19, 45.34), wound separation or infection (20.5% versus 5.9%, p < 0.001, aOR 4.05, 95% CI 1.75, 9.36) and 1-min Apgar score less than 7 (6.8% versus 1.9%, p = 0.024, aOR 4.40, 95% CI 1.21, 15.94). Conclusions: In patients undergoing a tertiary or higher cesarean delivery without placenta previa or accreta, obesity increases the risk of adverse outcomes. Obese patients are at risk for blood transfusion, low 1-min Apgar scores and postoperative wound complications.

Are We Getting Closer to Explaining Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia continues to contribute to major maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this article, we review the pathophysiological mechanisms, screening strategies, and novel therapeutic options for preeclampsia.