OBJECTIVES: To report our experiences in pregnant patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who were treated with targeted therapy. METHODS: From 2011 to 2017, women who decided to maintain pregnancies in our PAH clinic were included. Clinical data, management, and outcomes of the mothers and fetuses were reviewed. RESULTS: Nine women with PAH and 10 deliveries were reviewed. The median maternal age was 28 (26–32) years old. The functional status of each patient was New York Heart Association functional class II or III at first visit. Sildenafil was prescribed in advance in 9 cases of delivery. Multidiscipline team approach management and intensive care were performed during the peripartum period. There was no maternal or fetal mortality. Severe cardiac events occurred in 2 patients with Eisenmenger syndrome: cardiac arrest and uncontrolled arrhythmia. Non-cardiac events occurred in 3 cases: postpartum bleeding, urinary tract infection, and pneumonia. The median gestational period at delivery was about 34 (32–38) weeks. Three cases were emergent delivery because of unexpected preterm labor. Intrauterine growth restriction developed in 4 fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy could be maintained by the introduction of targeted therapy rather more safely than the previous era in the case of maintenance of pregnancy. Intensive care and a multidisciplinary team approach can possibly improve the outcomes of the pregnant women with PAH and their babies. However, pregnancy in patients with PAH is still strongly prohibited and it can be tried in expert center where there has sufficient multidisciplinary team approach in case of inevitability.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Critical Care ; Eisenmenger Complex ; Female ; Fetal Mortality ; Fetus ; Heart ; Heart Arrest ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Maternal Age ; Mothers ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Peripartum Period ; Pneumonia ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Sildenafil Citrate ; Urinary Tract Infections

During pregnancy, the procoagulant activity increases (manifested by elevation in factor VII, factor VIII, factor X, and fibrinogen levels), while the anticoagulant activity decreases (characterized by reduction in fibrinolysis and protein S activity), resulting in hypercoagulation. Standard coagulation tests, such as prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time, are still used despite the lack of evidence supporting its accuracy in evaluating the coagulation status of pregnant women. Thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry, which are used to assess the function of platelets, soluble coagulation factors, fibrinogen, and fibrinolysis, can replace standard coagulation tests. Platelet count and function and the effect of anticoagulant treatment should be assessed to determine the risk of hematoma associated with regional anesthesia. Moreover, anesthesiologists should monitor patients for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), and attention should be paid when performing rapid coagulation tests, transfusions, and prohemostatic pharmacotherapy. Transfusion of a high ratio of plasma and platelets to red blood cells (RBCs) showed high hemostasis success and low bleeding-related mortality rates in patients with severe trauma. However, the effects of high ratios of plasma and platelets and the ratio of plasma to RBCs and platelets to RBCs in the treatment of massive PPH were not established. Intravenous tranexamic acid should be administered immediately after the onset of postpartum bleeding. Pre-emptive treatment with fibrinogen for PPH is not effective in reducing bleeding. If fibrinogen levels of less than 2 g/L are identified, 2–4 g of fibrinogen or 5–10 ml/kg cryoprecipitate should be administered.
Anesthesia, Conduction ; Blood Coagulation Factors ; Blood Transfusion ; Drug Therapy ; Erythrocytes ; Factor VII ; Factor VIII ; Factor X ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; Fibrinolysis ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Mortality ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Plasma ; Platelet Count ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Protein S ; Prothrombin Time ; Thrombelastography ; Tranexamic Acid

The total fertility rate in South Korea is one of the lowest among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. However, the number of advanced maternal age and high risk pregnancies are rising due to delays in marriage and increased infertility rates, resulting in a maternal mortality rate that is higher than the OECD average. The most common cause of maternal mortality has been reported to be obstetric embolism, followed by postpartum hemorrhage. Hemorrhage is a preventable condition that can be solved by expeditious initial management such as transfusion, medication, and prompt transfers to tertiary centers that are capable of managing obstetric emergencies. However, the number of maternity care hospitals in underserved areas has been falling since 2004 due to business losses stemming from low birth rates, inadequate insurance payments for obstetric services, and the shortage of obstetricians. The insufficient maternity care system for high risk pregnant women in Korea has also led to an increase in maternal mortality. Therefore, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has supported the establishment of an ‘Integrated Care Center for High Risk Pregnancy and Neonate’ for high risk maternity and neonatal cases. However, there is no systematic transfer system in place to monitor and support emergency patient transfers in the event of obstetric emergencies. Although the Disaster & Emergency Medical Operations Center is currently carrying out these tasks, it is insufficient to properly manage all obstetric transfers. Our plan is to establish an Emergency Maternal Transport Control Center that is linked with the existing Disaster & Emergency Medical Operations Center at the National Medical Center. To implement this system, cooperation from each maternity and neonatal center will be crucial to share available human and material resources. Successful implementation of this system will allow for communication not only with the regional perinatal centers, but on a nationwide scale to detect and conduct necessary transfers of high risk pregnancy patients in emergency situations. It is anticipated that this system will significantly improve maternal health care as well as obstetric infrastructure, especially in underserved areas.
Accidental Falls ; Birth Rate ; Commerce ; Disasters ; Embolism ; Emergencies ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infertility ; Insurance ; Korea ; Marriage ; Maternal Age ; Maternal Health ; Maternal Mortality ; Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development ; Patient Transfer ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, High-Risk ; Pregnant Women

OBJECTIVE: Reviewing indications and characteristics of obstetric patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care center, comparing those patients by time period and place of delivery, and to verify clinical utility of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score in ICU-admitted women. METHODS: Retrospective analyses were carried out for parturients admitted to the ICU of our institution from 1994 to 2015. Clinical characteristics were compared between time period (period 1: 1994–2004; period 2: 2005–2015) and place of delivery (our institution and local hospitals). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the usefulness of APACHE II score to predict maternal mortality. RESULTS: During 22-year period, 176 women required ICU admission, showing the incidence of 2.2 per 1,000 deliveries. The most common reason for ICU admission was postpartum hemorrhage (56.3%), followed by hypertensive disorders (19.3%), sepsis (3.4%), and pulmonary and amniotic fluid embolism (2.3%). Period 2 showed older maternal age (32.7±4.8 vs. 30.8±4.4 years, P=0.006, higher embolization rate (26.4% vs.1.2%, P < 0.001), and lower hysterectomy rate (30.8% vs. 49.4%, P=0.012). Cases from local hospitals showed significantly higher proportion of postpartum hemorrhage (84.5% vs. 42.2%, P < 0.001). Overall maternal death occurred in 5.1% (9/176) including 6 direct maternal deaths. The APACHE II score showed area under the ROC curve of 0.813 (confidence interval [CI], 0.607–1.000) for prediction of maternal mortality. CONCLUSION: The incidence of obstetric ICU admission was 2.2 per 1,000 deliveries and the most common reason was postpartum hemorrhage followed by hypertensive disorders. APACHE II score could be used to predict mortality in obstetric ICU admission.
APACHE ; Critical Care* ; Embolism, Amniotic Fluid ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units* ; Maternal Age ; Maternal Death ; Maternal Mortality ; Mortality ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sepsis ; Tertiary Care Centers* ; Tertiary Healthcare*

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a life-threatening condition and remains a leading cause of maternal mortality. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is an effective therapeutic strategy for PPH with the advantages of fast speed, repeatability, and the possibility of fertility preservation. We reviewed the vascular anatomy relevant to PPH, the practical details of TAE emphasizing the timing of embolization, and various clinical conditions of PPH according to a recent literature review.
Fertility Preservation ; Maternal Mortality ; Postpartum Hemorrhage* ; Postpartum Period*

BACKGROUND: Severe or massive postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) has remained a leading cause of maternal mortality for decades across the world and it results in critical obstetric complications. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) has emerged as a gold standard adjunctive hemostatic agent for the treatment of life-threatening PPH refractory to conventional therapies although it remains off-licensed for use in PPH. We studied the effects of rFVIIa on coagulopathy, transfusion volume, prognosis, severity change in Korean PPH patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records between December 2008 and March 2011 indicating use of rFVIIa in severe PPH was performed. We compared age, rFVIIa treatment, transfusion volume, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score at the time of arrival in the emergency department and after 24 hours for patients whose SOFA score was 8 points or higher. RESULTS: Fifteen women with SOFA score of 8 and above participated in this study and eight received rFVIIa administration whereas seven did not. Patients' mean age was 31.7 ± 7.5 years. There was no statistically significant difference in initial and post-24 hours SOFA scores between patients administered rFVIIa or not. The change in SOFA score between initial presentation and after 24 hours was significantly reduced after rFVIIa administration (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis aimed to support that the administration of rFVIIa can reduce the severity of life-threatening PPH in patients. A rapid decision regarding the administration of rFVIIa is needed for a more favorable outcome in severe PPH patients for whom there is no effective standard treatment.
Emergency Service, Hospital ; Factor VIIa* ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Death ; Maternal Mortality ; Medical Records ; Organ Dysfunction Scores ; Postpartum Hemorrhage* ; Postpartum Period* ; Prognosis ; Recombinant Proteins ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Severe or massive postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) has remained a leading cause of maternal mortality for decades across the world and it results in critical obstetric complications. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) has emerged as a gold standard adjunctive hemostatic agent for the treatment of life-threatening PPH refractory to conventional therapies although it remains off-licensed for use in PPH. We studied the effects of rFVIIa on coagulopathy, transfusion volume, prognosis, severity change in Korean PPH patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records between December 2008 and March 2011 indicating use of rFVIIa in severe PPH was performed. We compared age, rFVIIa treatment, transfusion volume, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score at the time of arrival in the emergency department and after 24 hours for patients whose SOFA score was 8 points or higher. RESULTS: Fifteen women with SOFA score of 8 and above participated in this study and eight received rFVIIa administration whereas seven did not. Patients' mean age was 31.7 ± 7.5 years. There was no statistically significant difference in initial and post-24 hours SOFA scores between patients administered rFVIIa or not. The change in SOFA score between initial presentation and after 24 hours was significantly reduced after rFVIIa administration (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis aimed to support that the administration of rFVIIa can reduce the severity of life-threatening PPH in patients. A rapid decision regarding the administration of rFVIIa is needed for a more favorable outcome in severe PPH patients for whom there is no effective standard treatment.
Emergency Service, Hospital ; Factor VIIa ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Death ; Maternal Mortality ; Medical Records ; Organ Dysfunction Scores ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Postpartum Period ; Prognosis ; Recombinant Proteins ; Retrospective Studies

Despite low childbirth rate in Korea, the number of women with high-risk pregnancies is steadily increasing, mostly due to increased maternal age, multiple pregnancies, and obesity. In fact, one out of five Korean women is above 35 years old at childbirth. It is well known that high risk pregnancy is closely related with increased maternal mortality, either by direct or indirect causes. Despite such problems, however, Korea's health care infrastructure for childbirth has deteriorated, leaving approximately 20% of the geographic area of the country medically underserved with regard to optimal maternity care. Such a collapse has been caused by the decrease in the number of maternity hospitals and their financial difficulties due to medical fee reimbursement for childbirth being too low. The problem is aggravated by a lack of obstetricians who can provide skilled attendance at childbirth. In addition, extensive legal pressure has dissuaded talented medical students from pursuing obstetrics and gynecology, thereby resulting in aging and severe gender imbalance in such professions. The direct consequence of the collapse in infrastructure for childbirth is an increased maternal mortality ratio, especially in underserved areas. Moreover, increased maternal death caused by postpartum bleeding reflects an obvious sign of danger in the maternal health care system. Furthermore, the number of tertiary hospitals that can provide optimal care to high risk pregnant women has decreased to two-thirds of what it once was, and the training of competent obstetricians for the mothers of the future continues to be a difficulty.
Aging ; Aptitude ; Delivery of Health Care ; Fees, Medical ; Female ; Gynecology ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitals, Maternity ; Humans ; Korea ; Maternal Age ; Maternal Death ; Maternal Health ; Maternal Mortality ; Medically Underserved Area ; Mothers ; Obesity ; Obstetrics ; Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital ; Parturition* ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, High-Risk ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Pregnant Women ; Students, Medical ; Tertiary Care Centers

The Government of North Korea with WHO proposed the improvement of healthcare for mothers and children as the second-highest priority for North Korea in 2009. The maternal mortality ratio in North Korea was 76 per 100,000 live birth in 2012, almost seven times higher than that of South Korea. The leading cause of maternal death was postpartum hemorrhage, which accounted for 33 percent of all mothers' deaths. Postpartum hemorrhage is indeed a life-threatening crisis that requires a well-established emergency obstetric care (EmOC) system including safe blood. The rate of children under the age of five with chronic malnutrition stood at 27.9 percent in 2012. Infant malnutrition was more prevalent after the first six months of life, with the rate reaching a peak of 36.8 percent at 24 months of age. The proportion of chronic malnutrition was lowest in Pyongyang, at 19.6 percent, and second-lowest in South Phyongan, at 25.8 percent. On the other hand, the proportion was the highest in the three provinces of Ryanggang, Jagang and South Hamgyong at 39.6 percent, 33.4 percent, and 32.9 percent, respectively. Lack of food security has led to a high prevalence of malnutrition. The mortality rate of children under the age of five was 25 per 1,000 live birth in 2014. Of the North Korean children who die under the age of five, 51 percent died within first four weeks of their birth in 2010. Of these, 40 percent was born low birth weight (less than 2,500 grams at birth), indicating the severity of malnutrition in mothers. Therefore this paper suggests strategies approach to improve the quality of the population for the next generation unified the Korean peninsula for future initiatives. First, we need to develop of strategies and actions for reducing geographical disparity in access to maternal and child health services in North Korea. Second, we have to introduce a 'Mother and Child 1,000-Day Project' to reduce undernutrition among mothers and children in the first 1,000 days of a child's life, from conception to two years old. Third, it is desirable to adopt a policy on access to primary health care to build local governance.
Child Health Services ; Child Health* ; Child* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea* ; Emergencies ; Fertilization ; Food Supply ; Hand ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality ; Infant Nutrition Disorders ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Live Birth ; Malnutrition ; Maternal Death ; Maternal Mortality ; Mortality ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Prevalence ; Primary Health Care

Postpartum hemorrhage is a common cause of maternal mortality; its main cause is placenta accreta. Therapeutic hypothermia is a generally accepted means of improving clinical signs in postcardiopulmonary resuscitation patients. A 41-year-old pregnant woman underwent a cesarean section under general anesthesia at 37 weeks of gestation. After the cesarean section, the patient experienced massive postpartum bleeding, which led to cardiac arrest. Once spontaneous circulation returned, the patient underwent an emergency hysterectomy and was placed under therapeutic hypothermia management. The patient recovered without neurological complications.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Cesarean Section ; Emergencies ; Female ; Heart Arrest* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Hypothermia, Induced* ; Hysterectomy* ; Maternal Mortality ; Placenta Accreta ; Postpartum Hemorrhage* ; Postpartum Period* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Resuscitation