ImportanceAmniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is an uncommon pregnancy complication but is associated with high maternal mortality. Because of the rarity of AFE, associated risks factors and maternal outcomes have been relatively understudied.ObjectiveTo examine the clinical, pregnancy, and delivery characteristics and the maternal outcomes related to AFE in a recent period in the US.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective cohort study examined hospital deliveries from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019, from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s National Inpatient Sample.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was clinical, pregnancy, and delivery characteristics of AFE, assessed with a multivariable binary logistic regression model. The coprimary outcome was failure to rescue, defined as maternal mortality after AFE. Associations with other severe maternal morbidity indicators and failure to rescue per clinical and pregnancy characteristics were also assessed.ResultsA total of 14 684 135 deliveries were examined, with AFE diagnosed in 880 women, corresponding to an incidence rate of 6.0 per 100 000 deliveries. The cohort-level median patient age was 29 years (IQR, 25-33 years). In a multivariable analysis, (1) patient factors of older age, Asian and Black race, Western US region, pregestational hypertension, asthma, illicit substance use, and grand multiparity; (2) pregnancy factors of placental accreta spectrum (PAS), placental abruption, uterine rupture, polyhydramnios, chorioamnionitis, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and fetal demise; and (3) delivery factors of early gestational age, cervical ripening, cesarean delivery, operative delivery, and manual removal were associated with AFE. Among these characteristics, PAS had the largest association with AFE (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.01; 95% CI, 7.03-14.24). When stratified by the PAS subtypes, more severe forms of PAS had a greater association with AFE (aOR for increta and percreta, 17.35; 95% CI, 10.21-28.48; and aOR for accreta, 7.62; 95% CI, 4.83-12.01). Patients who had AFE were more likely to have coagulopathy (aOR, 24.68; 95% CI, 19.38-31.44), cardiac arrest (aOR, 24.56; 95% CI, 17.84-33.81), and adult respiratory distress syndrome (aOR, 10.72; 95% CI, 8.09-14.20). The failure-to-rescue rate after AFE was 17.0% overall. However, the failure-to-rescue rate exceeded 30% when AFE co-occurred with other severe maternal morbidity indicators: 45.8% for AFE, cardiac arrest, and coagulopathy; 43.2% for AFE, shock, and cardiac rhythm conversion; and 38.6% for AFE, cardiac arrest, coagulopathy, and shock. The failure-to-rescue rate after AFE also exceeded 30% when AFE occurred in the setting of placental pathology: 42.9% for AFE and PAS and 31.3% for AFE and placental abruption.Conclusions and RelevanceThis contemporaneous, national-level analysis validated previously known risk factors for AFE and confirmed the dismal outcomes of pregnancy complicated by AFE. The association between PAS and AFE, which was not previously reported, warrants further investigation.

This cohort study examines nationwide trends and characteristics of severe maternal morbidity and mortality among pregnant women with cancer in the US.

Objective To examine the association between hospital surgical volume of caesarean hysterectomy and surgical morbidity in women with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS).Design Population-based retrospective cohort study.

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Objective To examine recent incidence trends and characteristics of shoulder dystocia. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study querying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample. The study population included 9 913 838 vaginal deliveries for national estimates from January 2016 to December 2019. The main outcome measure was the diagnosis of shoulder dystocia. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify characteristics of shoulder dystocia in multivariable analysis. Results Shoulder dystocia was reported in 228 120 deliveries (23.0 per 1000). The incidence of shoulder dystocia increased from 21.0 to 24.6 per 1000 deliveries during the 4‐year study period (17.1% relative increase, P < 0.001). In a multivariable analysis, the recent year of delivery remained an independent factor for shoulder dystocia: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) compared with 2016, 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.11), 1.13 (95% CI, 1.12–1.14), and 1.18 (95% CI, 1.16–1.19) for 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively. Large for gestational age (aOR 4.33 [95% CI, 4.25–4.40]), diabetes mellitus (pregestational aOR, 4.78 [95% CI, 4.63–4.94], and gestational aOR, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.66–1.71]), and vacuum‐assisted delivery (aOR, 2.18 [95% CI, 2.15–2.21]) exhibited the largest risks for shoulder dystocia. Conclusion This national‐level analysis identified various risk factors for shoulder dystocia and demonstrated that shouder dystocia cases are increasing gradually in the United States.

Objective: To examine characteristics and outcomes of cesarean delivery (CD) in women with a history of vertical hysterotomy.Method: This is a comparative study that retrospectively queried the National Inpatient Sample from October 2016 to December 2018. Pregnancy characteristics and surgical outcomes of CD among 18 575 women with prior vertical uterine incision were compared to 1 072 949 women with prior low-transverse incision, assessed by multivariable generalized estimating equation model and propensity score weighting. Results:In a multivariable analysis, women who had prior vertical uterine incision were more likely to have placenta percreta (odds ratio [OR] 3.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.87-6.20), pre-labor uterine rupture (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.52-4.80), inlabor uterine rupture (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.55-3.51), and extreme preterm delivery <28 weeks (OR 17.8,) in the current pregnancy, compared to those who had prior low-transverse uterine incision. In a weighted model, prior vertical hysterotomy was associated with increased surgical morbidity in current CD compared to prior low-transverse hysterotomy (10.6% vs. 4.8%, OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.81-2.26), including hemorrhage (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.74-2.27) and hysterectomy (OR 3.67,. Conclusion:Prior vertical uterine incision at CD was associated with increased risk of placenta percreta, uterine rupture, particularly before labor, and adverse outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy.

ObjectiveSurgery for placenta accreta spectrum is associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality. The role of gynecologic oncologists in the surgical management of placenta accreta spectrum is currently under investigation. This study examined the practices, experiences, and interests of gynecologic oncologists in placenta accreta spectrum surgeries.MethodsThe intervention was an anonymous, cross-sectional, 20-question survey sent to 1084 members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology in the USA.ResultsA total of 184 gynecologic oncologists responded to the survey (response rate 17.0%). Most participating gynecologic oncologists have been practicing for >10 years after fellowship (53.2%), practice in urban-teaching hospitals (84.8%) with delivery volumes ≥3000/year (54.3%), and have a multidisciplinary approach (82.5%). Three-quarters (78.7%) feel that the rate of placenta accreta spectrum is increasing over time. One-third (35.5%) perform ≥6 hysterectomies for placenta accreta spectrum yearly. Less than half (45.5%) practice conservative management. Approximately half are involved from the beginning of the case (49.7%) and perform the surgery in the main operating room (59.4%). Almost three-quarters (71.6%) have experienced surgical blood loss >5 L and one-third (36.6%) have experienced cases with blood loss >10 L. About half (50.3%) of participants are interested in placenta accreta spectrum surgery for future practice. Gynecologic oncologists engaging in a multidisciplinary approach are more likely to practice in an urban-teaching hospital, have higher surgical volume, be involved from the beginning of the case, and be interested in placenta accreta spectrum surgery. Those >10 years post-training and in the Southern US region are more likely to practice conservative management or delayed hysterectomy.ConclusionThis society-based cross-sectional survey suggests that gynecologic oncologists are actively involved in the surgical management of placenta accreta spectrum in the USA. Nearly half of gynecologic oncologists who responded to the survey expressed interest in surgery for placenta accreta spectrum.

Objective To evaluate all individual cases of dual twin demise following laser surgery for twin‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Method This is an analysis of all monochorionic diamniotic twin gestations with TTTS complicated by dual demise following laser surgery from 2006 to 2019. Cases were reviewed by (1) a fetal surgeon researcher and (2) a panel of independent experienced maternal‐fetal medicine specialists to code an etiology of demise for the donor and recipient, and to assess for possible preventability. Results Of 753 twins that underwent laser surgery for TTTS, 52 (6.9%) had postoperative dual demise. In this subgroup, gestational age at surgery was 19.5 (16.1–24.9) weeks, and 36 (69.2%) patients were Quintero stage III and IV. The most common etiology was the spectrum of disorders leading to preterm delivery, which included cervical insufficiency, preterm premature rupture of membranes, and preterm labor (44.2% and 48.1%, donor and recipient, respectively). Some degree of preventability was estimated for 23.1% of dual demises. Conclusions The most common cause of dual demise post laser surgery for TTTS was preterm birth, reinforcing the need for studies regarding the etiology and prevention of post‐fetoscopy prematurity. Nearly one‐quarter of dual demise cases were deemed potentially preventable.