Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disease that complicates many pregnancies, typically presenting with new-onset or worsening hypertension and proteinuria. It is well recognized that the placental syncytium plays a key role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. This review summarizes the findings pertaining to the structural alterations in the syncytium of preeclamptic placentas and analyzes their pathological implications for the development of preeclampsia. Changes in the trophoblastic lineage, including those in the proliferation of cytotrophoblasts, the formation of syncytiotrophoblast through cell fusion, cell apoptosis and syncytial deportation, are discussed in the context of preeclampsia. Extensive correlations are made between functional deficiencies and the alterations on the levels of gross anatomy, tissue histology, cellular events, ultrastructure, molecular pathways, and gene expression. Attention is given to the significance of dynamic changes in the syncytial turnover in preeclamptic placentas. Specifically, experimental evidences for the complex and obligatory role of syncytin-1 in cell fusion, cell-cycle regulation at the G1/S transition, and apoptosis through AIF-mediated pathway, are discussed in detail in the context of syncytium homeostasis. Finally, the recent observations on the aberrant fibrin deposition in the trophoblastic layer and the trophoblast immature phenotype in preeclamptic placentas and their potential pathogenic impact are also reviewed.

Objectives: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy has increased in the adult population. Studies from the H1N1 influenza pandemic suggest that ECMO deployment in pregnancy is associated with favorable outcomes. With increasing numbers of pregnant women affected by COVID-19 and potentially requiring this life-saving therapy, we sought to compare comorbidities, costs, and outcomes between pregnancy and non-pregnancy associated ECMO therapy among reproductive-aged female patients. Study Design: We used the 2013-2019 National Readmissions Database. Diagnosis and procedural coding were used to identify ECMO deployment, potential indications, comorbid conditions, and pregnancy outcomes. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality during the patient’s initial ECMO stay. Secondary outcomes included length of stay and hospital charges/costs, occurrence of thromboembolic or bleeding complications during ECMO hospitalization, and mortality and readmissions up to 330 days following ECMO stay. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to model the associations between pregnancy status and outcomes. Results: The sample included 324 pregnancy-associated hospitalizations and 3,805 non- pregnancy associated hospitalizations, corresponding to national estimates of 665 and 7,653 over the study period, respectively. Pregnancy-associated ECMO had lower incidence of in-hospital death (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.41-0.75) and bleeding complications (AOR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.49-0.93). Length of stay was significantly shorter (adjusted rate ratio (ARR): 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.96) and total hospital costs were less (ARR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.75-0.93). Differences in the incidence of thromboembolic events (AOR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.78-1.38) were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Pregnancy-associated ECMO therapy had lower incidence of in-hospital death, bleeding complications, total inpatient cost, and length of stay when compared to non-pregnancy associated ECMO therapy without increased thromboembolic complications. Pregnancy-associated ECMO therapy should be offered to eligible patients.

Objective The study aims to reduce cesarean rates, eligible women are being offered an option of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). However, little data exist regarding efficacy of amniotomy as a tool in this population. We sought to evaluate the impact of early amniotomy on VBAC success. Study Design This is a secondary analysis case-control study using the MFMU (Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network) Cesarean Registry. Women were included if they had a singleton pregnancy, were attempting VBAC, and underwent induction with artificial rupture of membranes. Cases were defined as subjects with successful VBAC; controls were defined as subjects with failed trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC). Early amniotomy was defined as amniotomy at <4 cm. Demographic and obstetric characteristics were compared and multivariate logistic regression was performed. Results A total of 1,490 women were included. Early amniotomy occurred in 59.5% with VBAC versus 63.2% with failed TOLAC (p = 0.24). After controlling for body mass index, prior vaginal delivery, African–American race, labor length, gestational age, birthweight, epidural use, Foley catheter balloon ripening, induction method and oxytocin use, early amniotomy was associated with a 34% decrease in VBAC success (p < 0.01). Women who had early amniotomy did not have higher rates of chorioamnionitis (2.8 vs. 2.9%, p > 0.99). Conclusion Unlike data from nulliparous women, our data suggest that induction with early amniotomy does not increase the likelihood of VBAC.

Background As body mass index increases, the risk of postpartum infections has been shown to increase. However, most studies lump women with a body mass index (BMI) of above 40kg/m2 together, making risk assessment for women in higher BMI categories challenging. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of extreme obesity on postpartum infectious morbidity and wound complications during the postpartum period. Study Design The present study is a secondary analysis of women who underwent cesarean delivery and had BMI > 40 kg/m2 in the Maternal Fetal Medicine Units Cesarean Registry. The primary outcome was a composite of postpartum infectious morbidity including endometritis, wound infection, inpatient wound complication prior to discharge, and readmission due to wound complications. Appropriate statistics used to compare baseline demographics, pregnancy complications, and primary outcomes among women by increasing BMI groups (40-49.9kg/m2, 50-59.9kg/m2, 60-69.9kg/m2, and >70kg/m2). Results Rates of postpartum infectious morbidity increased with BMI category (11.7% body mass index 50-59.9 kg/m2; 13.7% BMI 60-69.9 kg/m2, 21.9%; and BMI >70+ kg/m2; p=0.001). Readmission for wound complications also increased with BMI (3.1% for BMI 50-59.9 kg/m2; 6.2% for BMI 60-69.9 kg/m2; and 9.4% for BMI >70+kg/m2; p=0.001). After adjusting for confounders, increased BMI 70+ kg/m2 category remained the most significant predictor of postpartum infectious complications compared to women with BMI 40-49.9 kg/m2 (aOR 6.38; 95% CI 1.37-29.7). The adjusted odds of readmission also increased with BMI (aOR 2.33 (95%CI 1.35-4.02) BMI 50-59.9kg/m2, aOR 4.91 (95% CI 2.07-11.7) BMI 60-69.9kg/m2, aOR 36.2 (7.45-176) for BMI >70kg/m2). Conclusion Women with BMI 50-70+kg/m2 are at an increased risk of postpartum wound infections and complications compared to women with BMI 40-49.9kg/m2. These data provide increased guidance for counseling women with an extremely elevated body mass index and highlight the importance of postpartum wound prevention bundles.

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