@SOAPHQ and @ASRA_Society joint panel: A tailored approach to the management of the thrombocytopenic patient. With Dr Roulhac Toledano MD moderating Dr Lisa Leffert MD, @MelissaEBauer1 and @dr_melissabyrne
With acknowledgment that #OBAnes airway may be difficult, the use of neuraxial with lower platelet counts. 2015 sees rapid increase in literature supporting placement below 100,000. However, @SOAPHQ members requested a consensus statement as institutional policies were slow to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
A modified Delphi process. A lot of these procedures were lumbar punctures. < 25,000 - a lot of societies recommend platelet cover, IR and LP performed procedures. #SOAPAM2023
26-50,000 no cases; 51-75,000 9 cases but some has other reasons to bleed than platelet count; 75-100,000 4 cases, similarly other reasons to bleed. More scary: asymptomatic patients #SOAPAM2023
Every case was included even if on history it was unlikely related to the neuraxial/ platelet count #SOAPAM2023
Most common signs & symptoms. Lower extremity motor deficit easy. However, don’t forget to ask about urinary & bowel symptoms. #SOAPAM2023
Definitions of thrombocytopenia. ITP superplatelets - strongly held belief, no clear evidence. Preeclampsia: if NOT in HELLP, platelet function is not drastically different. #SOAPAM2023
Must ask about current signs of bleeding. How you ask the question is important - simply asking about heavy periods and bruising will steer you wrong! If asked that way, people with normal coagulation answer yes. #SOAPAM2023
The bleeding history assessment has specific guidance. Note heavy periods and easy bruising have defined parameters. #SOAPAM2023
If unsure, be cautious. Could not specifically delineate spinal vs epidural recommendations. Majority of cases included = LP (green) [ consider vs Anesthesia (red)] #SOAPAM2023
Strategies to reduce risk! JFK quote applicable to #OBAnes (and #AnyAnes)
Moving on to 2nd lecture of @SOAPHQ@ASRA_Society joint session at #SOAPAM2023 with Dr Lisa Leffert MD hoping for knowledge consolidation with a selection of #OBAnes cases.
Guidance exists that in the absence of comorbidities/ significant history, routine platelet counts are not required. We can take solace from the fact that while platelet count does drop during pregnancy, it seldom drops too low. #SOAPAM2023
Next case: ITP. Superplatelets seem to be a myth. Yes case reports exist (platelet count NOT know prior to CSE for labour analgesia) @maloumeng@ruthi_landau - BUT on the whole platelet function in ITP is consistent over time independent of count. #SOAPAM2023
Case 3. Preeclampsia - no evidence UNLESS patient has HELLP syndrome #SOAPAM2023
Case 4. What does consensus statement say about neuraxial below 70,000? Data limited. Risk benefit balance. #SOAPAM2023
Bleeding questions require nuance, and context. @MelissaEBauer1 example: patient with multiple bruises who on questioning reveals they have an excitable big puppy that jumps on them everyday until fed ≠ bleeding disorder (3-5year old kids have similar effects tbh) #SOAPAM2023
Next case: platelets of 60,000. Most of our data based on LP rather than #OBAnes - cannot make clear recommendation #SOAPAM2023
Most guidelines do NOT recommend platelet transfusion at 60,000. Context is important though. #SOAPAM2023
Is a labor epidural elective? What dictates decision? Patient autonomy vs medical indications vs fetal indications? Self awareness of what factors impact your choice to proceed is important. Summary slide from Dr Lisa Leffert, MD #SOAPAM2023
Learning objectives. Did you know? Not all pregnant women needing #OBAnes care are in labour? #SOAPAM2023
Facts to understand. 2% of pregnant patients (80,000) undergo anesthesia every year. 1 in 8 of OB patients have thrombocytopenia. Luckily only 1% have platelets < 100,000 #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Prioritize #patientsafety. Some History: first statement on neuraxial and anticoagulation management/ timing in 1998. Some progress along the way, adding #OBAnes patients in 2003 and expanding recommendations in 2010. @SOAPHQ consensus statement 2017. Last @ASRA_Society consensus… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Mandatory @ASRA_Society disclaimer: guidelines ≠ standard of care, not replace clinical judgement, variances acceptable. Guidelines designed to encourage safe and quality patient care #SOAPAM2023
Antithrombotic therapy and pregnancy. VTE one of most common causes OB M&M. VTE prophylaxis decreased morbidity BUT increase bleeding. Plexus & PNB in anticoagulated patient: what do we know? What deters is? What is missing? #SOAPAM2023
There’s a whole lot more we don’t know than what we do. The more we do know, seemingly the less we have answers for? #SOAPAM2023
What we (sorta) know: continuous femoral catheters while receiving rivvaroxaban - no hematomas observed; 32 patients reasonable mix between group on antithrombotic therapy and group without - NO definitive recommendations. #SOAPAM2023
We know knowledge acquisition is a winding path. The most serious complication is bleeding, not neurological. Major morbidity is what we cannot see. We know it’s not from single direct vessel puncture, but rather difficult needling / catheter placement. #SOAPAM2023
DISCLAIMER: @ASRA_Society recommendations are for neuraxials, and do NOT include platelet counts. #SOAPAM2023
Sadly this leaves us between a rock and a hard place. DISCLAIMER. @dr_melissabyrne heads into the realm of opinion, oh my! #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Lesson 3. Risks vs benefits. Literature is a maze… probably more likely a mine field? Several PNB have been performed on patients on anticoagulants or antiplatelets, without complications. #SOAPAM2023
Controversy: Practice advisory in @CJA_Journal proposes bleeding risk score system based on expert panel consensus and literature review. #SOAPAM2023
@SLKoppMD & co express concerns, including unvalidated scoring system, inconsistent methodology, lack of true consensus on majority of blocks. Rebuttal & reply lead based on shared goal, weigh risks and benefits, collaboration. Middle ground found. #SOAPAM2023
PNB in patients on antithrombotics: a rescue or unnecessary risk? How to approach these patients: weigh risk vs benefit, consider indication for block. Differing conclusions vs @ASRA_Society recommendations. Regarding thrombocytopenia: rare recommendation - >75,000 adequate… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Lesson #4: existing guidelines offer useful principles to help practice. A personal disclosure from @dr_melissabyrne: she has a dark cloud when on call. #SOAPAM2023
A typical start to a call? Pain management consult. G1P0 35+5 ORIF distal radius. Gestational thrombocytopenia: platelets 73,000. What is your plan? #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Hahahaha the voice in #OBAnes head can be very loud. Organize your environment to boost sense of control. Remember: @ASRA_Society guidelines. A lot of factors to be considered. #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Supraclavicular block is out - vessels, potentially difficult compression. Infraclavicular block similarly undesirable. #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Axillary block favourable - easier compression artery and vein. Remember to follow up with the patient. Majority of Twitter agreed - see discussions on @dr_melissabyrne’s profile. #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Next page. Urgent cesarean section. Platelets 68,000. What’s your plan? #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Ah-ha changing goal posts - patient refusing a neuraxial (that I suspect most #OBAnes would have been comfortable giving her). H/o ileus, multiple abdominal surgeries. NOW what is your plan? #SOAPAM2023
Options for postop analgesia. Some immediately removed. Local wound infiltration always an option (although favour PROSPECT type - requires surgical training) #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric not preferred, as may as well perform a more effective TAP block? TAP is effective when ITM not possible/ desired. #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
What about QLB? It does reduce pain scores. @elboghdadly et al (incl @PervezSultanMD) found TAP & QLB effective for postoperative pain when ITM not possible/desired #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Thinking critically about QLB though: deep, site not necessarily compressible. QLB perhaps not best choice. #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
So TAP best of options. Remember Follow -up with patient. Twitter poll a little bit closer, but see discussion on @dr_melissabyrne’s profile #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Next page: epidural request. G1P0 39+3 elective induction. ITP. SUD Hx on suboxone. Platelets 45,000. What is your anesthetic plan? #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Anatomical examination of spread @CJA_Journal - suggests may be adequate. @Anaes_Reports has case series of 4 women in active labour. Decreased pain. Short duration. Long enough if well timed? A potential catheter technique? #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
ESP block a viable labour analgesia option. Remember follow-up. #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
For cesarean section, we have options. @Anaes_Journal published update on PROSPECT guidance. TAP, QLB and ESP all accepted if ITM not possible/ desirable. Twitter, however, favoured remifentanil PCA. Discussions on @dr_melissabyrne’s profile. #OBanes#SOAPAM2023
Lesson #5: Tailored care can aid clinical decision making. One size does NOT fit all. (Echoes of @HansSviggum@bscottsegal protocolized care debate elsewhere on my profile) #OBAnes#SOAPAM2023
Standard approach of 1 technique for disparate groups gets variable results. Tailoring different approaches for different populations decrease pain scores. However, tailoring risk appropriately (in accordance with benefit) may decrease complication rates (pain scores no longer… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
The selection of labour analgesia options, all catheter based and similar with slight differences. Value propositions of DPE: confirmation, translocation and improved safety - value over EPL and CSE. #SOAPAM2023
Value proposition 1: confirmation. #DPE adds visual confirmation to LOR - midline and epidural tip.
Why do #OBAnes get equivocal LOR? There’s an anatomic basis. #SOAPAM2023
Disclosures quite impressive - including the editorial reduction of a years work to 50 minutes. Methods: includes #OBAnes on Twitter! 108 articles. 32 in lecture. AND there’s an app @CarolynWeiniger! #SOAPAM2023
The format of the lecture! 5 #OBAnes sections to cover! Global, North America, Antenatal, Analgesia and Postnatal. #SOAPAM2023