Trauma in pregnancy and intimate partner violence Flashcards
Best initial treatment for the foetus
Resuscitation of the mother
Specific risks during pregnancy trauma
Amniotic fluid entering maternal intravascular space
Foetal risk from maternal pelvic fracture
Placental abruption due to lack of placental elasticity
Placental vasculature sensitivity to decrease in maternal intravascular volume
Increased blood components during pregnancy
Plasma volume
RBC volume
WCC
Fibrinogen and clotting factors
Arterial pH
PaO2
Gestation at which plasma volume plateaus
34 weeks
Decreased blood components during pregnancy
Haematocrit (physiological anaemia of pregnancy)
PT and APTT times
(but bleeding and clotting times unchanged)
Bicarbonate
PaCO2
Arterial pH range during pregnancy
vs non pregnant patients
7.40 - 7.45
(vs 7.35 - 7.45 in non pregnant pts)
Bicarbonate range during pregnancy
vs non pregnant patients
17 - 22
(vs 22 - 28 in non pregnant pts)
Changes to cardiac output during pregnancy
Increased due to increased plasma volume
Effect on cardiac output of laying supine in pregnancy
Reduced CO by up to 30% due to compression of vena cava
Changes to HR during pregnancy
Increases by up to 15 bpm over baseline by third trimester
Changes to ECG during pregnancy
Left axis deviation
TWI III and AVF
Ectopic beats
Changes to BP during pregnancy
Decreased in second trimester
Returns to near normal at term
Causes of reduced PaCO2 in pregnancy
Increased minute ventilation
Implication of upper limit of normal PaCO2 in pregnancy
Impending respiratory failure
Changes to GFR and renal blood flow during pregnancy
Increase
Changes to serum creatinine and urea during pregnancy
Decreased to around half of pre-pregnancy levels
Changes to MSK system during pregnancy
Widening of pubic symphysis and sacroiliac joints
Risk of unrestrained RTC during pregnancy
Increased risk of premature delivery and foetal death
Risk of lap belt alone during pregnancy
Uterine rupture or placental abruption
Risk of full seat belt - shoulder and lap restraints
Reduces foetal injury
Effects of pregnancy on penetrating injury to abdomen
Better outcomes for mother (other abdo viscera protected by uterus)
Worse outcomes for foetus
Specific blood tests to perform in pregnant patients
Rh status
Specific treatment to give all Rh negative mothers in pregnant trauma
Rh immunoglobulin (Anti-D)
Timing of administration of Rh immunoglobulin therapy
Within 72 hours of injury
Changes to radiological investigations in pregnancy trauma
Careful considerations due to foetal risk but if required still perform
Positioning of pregnant patients
Left lateral lie
Manual left displacement of uterus
Left lateral position
Restrict motion of spinal board at 15 - 30 degrees to left using bolstering device
Implication of normal fibrinogen level in pregnancy
Possible early DIC
Signs of placental abruption
PV bleeding
Abdo cramps
Hypovolaemia
Uterine tenderness
Uterine tetany
Frequent contractions
Risk factors for foetal loss
Maternal HR > 110
Placental abruption
Foetal HR >160 or <120
Injury severity score >9
Ejection from RTC
Signs of uterine rupture
Abdo tenderness
Guarding / rigidity
Abdominal foetal lie
Easy palpation of foetal parts / extremities
No palpable fundus
Alterations to diagnostic peritoneal lavage in pregnant trauma patients
Above level of umbilicus
Open technique
Vaginal pH above 4.5 implication
Presence of amniotic fluid
Radiation dose of CT abdo/pelvis
25 mGy
Radiation dose threshold associated with foetal abnormalities / higher risk of foetal loss
> = 50 mGy
Use of CT in pregnant trauma patients
Can be used if there is significant concern for intra-abdominal injury
Criteria for hypertension in pregnancy
> 140 systolic
90 diastolic
Criteria to treat hypertension in pregnancy
> 160 systolic
110 diastolic
Treatment of hypertension in pregnancy
Labetalol 10-20 mg IV bolus
Abx used in pregnancy trauma
Ceftriaxone
Clindamycin if penicillin allergy
Antiemetics used in pregnancy trauma
Metoclopramide
Ondansetron
Treatment of eclamptic seizure
Magnesium Sulfate 4-6 g IV over 15 mins
Treatment of non-eclamptic seizure
Lorazepam 1-2 mg per minute IV