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Abstract Background and objectives Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) remain one of the leading causes of maternal mortality globally, especially in Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To reduce the burden of associated morbidity and mortality, standardized prompt recognition, evaluation, and treatment have been proposed. Health disparities, barriers to access to healthcare, and shortage of resources influence these conditions. We aimed to synthesize the literature evidence for the management of HDPs in LMICs. Methods A scoping review was conducted in five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Epistemonikos, Clinical Key and, Scielo) using MeSh terms, keywords, and Boolean connectors. We summarized the included studies according to the following categories: study design, objectives, settings, participant characteristics, eligibility criteria, interventions, assessed outcomes, and general findings. Results Six hundred fifty-one articles were retrieved from the literature search in five databases. Following the selection process, 65 articles met the predefined eligibility criteria. After performing a full-text analysis, 27 articles were included. Three themes were identified from the articles reviewed: prevention of HDPs, management of HDPs (antihypertensive and non-hypertensive management) and pregnancy monitoring and follow-up. The topics were approached from the perspective of LMICs. Conclusions LMICs face substantial limitations and obstacles in the comprehensive management of HDPs. While management recommendations in most LMICs align with international guidelines, several factors, including limited access to crucial medications, unavailability of diagnostic tests, deficiencies in high-quality healthcare infrastructure, restrictions on continuing professional development, a shortage of trained personnel, community perceptions of preeclampsia, and outdated local clinical practice guidelines, impede the comprehensive management of patients. The development and implementation of protocols, standardized guides and intervention packages are a priority.

Objective There are no globally agreed on strategies on early detection and first response management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) during and after caesarean birth. Our study aimed to develop an international expert’s consensus on evidence-based approaches for early detection and obstetric first response management of PPH intraoperatively and postoperatively in caesarean birth.Design Systematic review and three-stage modified Delphi expert consensus.Setting International.Population Panel of 22 global experts in PPH with diverse backgrounds, and gender, professional and geographic balance.Outcome measures Agreement or disagreement on strategies for early detection and first response management of PPH at caesarean birth.Results Experts agreed that the same PPH definition should apply to both vaginal and caesarean birth. For the intraoperative phase, the experts agreed that early detection should be accomplished via quantitative blood loss measurement, complemented by monitoring the woman’s haemodynamic status; and that first response should be triggered once the woman loses at least 500 mL of blood with continued bleeding or when she exhibits clinical signs of haemodynamic instability, whichever occurs first. For the first response, experts agreed on immediate administration of uterotonics and tranexamic acid, examination to determine aetiology and rapid initiation of cause-specific responses. In the postoperative phase, the experts agreed that caesarean birth-related PPH should be detected primarily via frequently monitoring the woman’s haemodynamic status and clinical signs and symptoms of internal bleeding, supplemented by cumulative blood loss assessment performed quantitatively or by visual estimation. Postoperative first response was determined to require an individualised approach.Conclusion These agreed on proposed approaches could help improve the detection of PPH in the intraoperative and postoperative phases of caesarean birth and the first response management of intraoperative PPH. Determining how best to implement these strategies is a critical next step.

Background Telemedicine, a method of healthcare service delivery bridging geographic distances between patients and providers, has gained prominence. This modality is particularly advantageous for outpatient consultations, addressing inherent barriers of travel time and cost.Objective We aim to describe economical outcomes towards the implementation of a multidisciplinary telemedicine service in a high-complexity hospital in Latin America, from the perspective of patients.Design A cross-sectional study was conducted, analysing the institutional data obtained over a period of 9 months, between April 2020 and December 2020.Setting A high-complexity teaching hospital located in Cali, Colombia.Participants Individuals who received care via telemedicine. The population was categorised into three groups based on their place of residence: Cali, Valle del Cauca excluding Cali and Outside of Valle del Cauca.Outcome measures Travel distance, time, fuel and public round-trip cost savings, and potential loss of productivity were estimated from the patient’s perspective.Results A total of 62 258 teleconsultations were analysed. Telemedicine led to a total distance savings of 4 514 903 km, and 132 886 hours. The estimated cost savings were US$680 822 for private transportation and US$1 087 821 for public transportation. Patients in the Outside of Valle del Cauca group experienced an estimated average time savings of 21.2 hours, translating to an average fuel savings of US$149.02 or an average savings of US$156.62 in public transportation costs. Areas with exclusive air access achieved a mean cost savings of US$362.9 per teleconsultation, specifically related to transportation costs.Conclusion Telemedicine emerges as a powerful tool for achieving substantial travel savings for patients, especially in regions confronting geographical and socioeconomic obstacles. These findings underscore the potential of telemedicine to bridge healthcare accessibility gaps in low-income and middle-income countries, calling for further investment and expansion of telemedicine services in such areas.

Summary: Background: Reducing maternal mortality ratio (MMR) remains a paramount goal for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially after COVID-19’s devastating impact on maternal health indicators. We describe our experience implementing the Hospital Padrino Strategy (HPS), a collaborative model between a high-complexity hospital (Fundación Valle del Lili) and 43 medium- and low-complexity hospitals in one Colombian department (an administrative and territorial division) from 2021 to 2022, to sustain the trend towards reducing MMR. The study aimed to assess the effects of implementing HPS on both hospital performance and maternal health indicators in Valle del Cauca department (VCD). Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted, comprising two phases. In the first phase, we investigated a cohort of hospitals through prospective follow-up to assess the outcomes of HPS implementation on hospital performance and maternal health indicators in VCD. In the second phase, qualitative data were collected through focus groups with 131 health workers from 33 hospitals to explore the implications of the HPS implementation on healthcare personnel. All data were obtained from records within the HPS implementation and from the Health Secretary of VCD. Findings: Evidence shows that in the context of HPS, 51 workshops involved 980 healthcare workers, covering the entire territory. Substantial improvements were observed in hospital conditions and healthcare personnel’s technical competencies when providing obstetric care. Seven hundred eighty-five pregnant women with obstetric or perinatal emergencies received care through telehealth systems, with a progressive increase in technology adoption. Nine percent required Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, and none died. The MMR decreased from 78.8 in 2021 to 12.0 cases per 100,000 live births by 2022. Improvements in indicators and conducted training sessions instilled confidence and empowerment among the healthcare teams in the sponsored hospitals, as evidenced in focus groups derived from a sample of 131 healthcare workers from 33 hospitals. Interpretation: Implementing the Hospital Padrino Strategy led to a significant MMR reduction, and consolidated a model of social healthcare innovation replicable in LMICs. Funding: The Hospital Padrino Strategy was funded by the Fundación Valle del Lili and the Health Secretary of Valle del Cauca. Furthermore, this study received funding from a general grant for research from Tecnoquimicas S.A.

Abstract Introduction As a result of the new coronavirus pandemic, a highly complex academic hospital in Latin America implemented a telemedicine service for the care of obstetric, pediatric, and adult patients. In 2020, regional emergency services collapsed due to the increase in demand for care, generating the need to open expansion services and seek strategies to provide timely care to consulting patients. Objective We retrospectively describe the clinical experience of patients who consulted the emergency department via telemedicine across a videoconference tool using digital platforms. Methods A descriptive study with retrospective data collection was conducted to describe the implementation of the teleconsultation care model for patients. We constructed the clinical process indicators to evaluate the model. Results A total of 4652 teleconsultations were registered. Telemedicine consultation was above 50% in the country and department and above 90% in Cali city. The average waiting time for care was estimated to be 1:59:52 h. A total of 275 patients were transferred to the emergency room after consultation. The principal reasons for consultation in the institutional telemedicine program were respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Teleconsultations related to SARS-COV 2 infections reported 3775 patients (3127 with unidentified virus and 648 with the identified virus). Conclusions Telemedicine is a tool that provides support and guidance to patients who consult emergency departments, reducing barriers to access health care and decreasing emergency department collapse.

ABSTRACTObjective Reducing maternal morbidity and mortality has been a challenge for low and middle-income countries, especially in the setting of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Improved strategies for treating obstetric patients with resistant hypertension are needed. We sought to explore whether hemodynamic parameters may be used to identify patients that develop resistant hypertension in pregnancy.Methods Retrospective cohort study among pregnant patients with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia that experienced severe blood pressure elevations. Hemodynamic variables were evaluated, including cardiac output (CO), and total peripheral resistance (TPR). The primary endpoint was resistant hypertension. An exploratory logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between the hemodynamic profile and the development of resistant hypertension. Adverse maternal and fetal outcomes were additionally described according to the presence of resistant hypertension.Results Fifty-seven patients with severe pregnancy hypertension were included, of whom 34 developed resistant hypertension (59.7%). The resistant hypertension group, in comparison to those without resistant hypertension, presented with a hypodynamic profile characterized by reduced CO 1400 dyn-s/cm5 (64.7% vs. 39.1%, p: 0.057). Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between a hypodynamic profile and resistant hypertension (OR 3.252, 95% CI 1.079–9.804; p = 0.035). Newborns of the resistant hypertension group had more frequent low birth weight (

The asymptomatic population's role in COVID-19 transmission poses challenges for control efforts. Pregnant women are susceptible to severe manifestations, increasing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. This study describes the clinical characteristics, maternal and fetal outcomes, and our experience in universal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) screening of pregnant women admitted to a high-complexity obstetric unit in Latin America. Of 568 pregnant women tested for SARS-CoV-2, 23 obtained a positive result. Among these patients, 17% had symptoms at admission, and 0.2% reported an epidemiological link. Pregnant women with positive were associated with an increased risk of eclampsia (16.7% vs 4.9%, P = .014) and acute respiratory distress (16.7% vs 4.9%, P = .014). In this group, 4 patients developed maternal near misses, and no maternal deaths were noted. Two early perinatal deaths occurred in the positive SARS-CoV-2 test group (2, 9.5% vs 17, 4.1%, P = .235). The high prevalence of asymptomatic pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 and the adverse outcomes for those infected during pregnancy highlights the importance of universal screening upon hospital admission. This approach streamlines risk management, and enhances service structure, resource allocation, care pathways, patient management, follow-up, and overall outcomes.

Gomez-Lopez et al. profile the plasma proteome of pregnant and non-pregnant COVID-19 patients and controls. Shared and pregnancy-specific proteomic changes are identified in COVID-19 patients compared to controls, with the proteome accurately identifying COVID-19 patients, even when asymptomatic.

Abstract Background Noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM) have gained attention worldwide. Latin America experienced a rise in rates of DM. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a telemedicine program was implemented in a quaternary care academic complex in Latin America to continue the follow-up of patients with diabetes. Objective The aim of this study is to describe the clinical experience of DM patient management through telemedicine and the HbA1c behavior of patients followed-up through this modality. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes who were treated via telemedicine from March to December 2020. A Wilcoxon statistical test was used to compare the changes in glycosylated hemoglobin between the first teleconsultation and after 6 months of telemedicine follow-up. Results A total of 663 patients were included, 17.65% (117) of whom had type 1 diabetes and 82.35% (546) of whom had type 2 diabetes. Patients with both types of diabetes, presented with stable HbA1c values regardless of the length of follow-up. Conclusion The use of telemedicine can be a helpful tool for both patients and health care providers to support the continuity of care to maintain acceptable control levels within glycemic control goals.

Abstract Introduction Contingency measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic limited access to routine prenatal care for pregnant women, increasing the risk of pregnancy complications due to poor prenatal follow-up, especially in those patients at high obstetric risk. This prompted the implementation and adaptation of telemedicine. Objective We aim to evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcomes of patients who received prenatal care in-person and by telemedicine. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of pregnant women who received exclusive in-person and alternate (telemedicine and in-person) care from March to December 20,202, determining each group's maternal and neonatal outcomes. Results A total of 1078 patients were included, 156 in the mixed group and 922 in the in-person group. The patients in the mixed group had a higher number of prenatal controls (8 (6–9) vs 6 (4–8) p

Abstract Background Difficulties in cancer services access increase the burden of disease and mortality in rural areas, and telehealth can be a useful tool to address these inequalities. Objective We aimed to describe the outcomes of patients in rural and urban areas with solid tumors managed by oncologists through telemedicine. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with solid tumors from March to December 2020. A total of 1270 subjects with solid tumors were included, 704 living in urban areas and 566 in rural areas. Results The most frequent tumors were breast (51.8%) and prostate (12.4%). The trend of telemedicine care was similar for both populations; in-person care was more frequent in the urban population. There were no differences in referral to the emergency room, need for hospitalization, and mortality for both groups. Conclusion Telemedicine is a care modality that reduces barriers in the care of patients with solid tumors, evidencing similar outcomes regardless of living in rural or urban areas.

Abstract Introduction Maternal morbidity and mortality rates associated with perinatal care remain a significant public health concern. Rural populations from low and middle-income countries have multiple barriers to access that contribute to a lack of adherence to prenatal care, and high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. An intervention model based on telehealth and education was implemented between a tertiary high complex care hospital and a second-level hospital from a limited source region. Objectives We sought to identify an association in maternal and perinatal care quality indicators after implementing a model based on telehealth and education for patients with obstetric emergencies between two hospitals in a southwestern region of Colombia. Methods We conducted an ecological study between 2017 and 2019 to compare before and after obstetric emergency care through telemedicine from a secondary care center (Hospital Francisco de Paula Santander-HFPS) to the referral center (Fundación Valle del Lili-FVL). The intervention included verification visits to determine the installed capacity of care, a concerted improvement plan, and on-site educational training modules in obstetric and perinatal care. Results There were 102 and 148 patients treated before and after telemedicine implementation respectively. Clinical indicators after model implementation showed a reduction in perinatal mortality of 29%. In addition, a reduction in the need for transfusion of blood products due to postpartum hemorrhage was observed as well as the rate of eclampsia. Conclusions Implementing a model based on telehealth and education between secondary and tertiary care centers allowed the strengthening of the security of care in obstetric emergencies and had a positive effect on perinatal mortality.

Introduction Pregnant women and health providers in rural areas of low-income and middle-income countries face multiple problems concerning high-quality obstetric care. This study was performed to identify changes in maternal and perinatal indicators after implementing a model based on education and telecare between a high-complexity hospital in 10 low-complexity hospitals in a southwestern region of Colombia. Methods A quasiexperimental study with a historic control group and without a pretest was conducted between 2017 and 2019 to make comparisons before and after obstetric emergency care through the use of teleassistance from 10 primary care centers to the referral center (Fundación Valle del Lili, FVL). Results A total of 470 patients were treated before teleassistance implementation and 154 patients were treated after teleassistance implementation. After program implementation, the maternal clinical indicators showed a 65% reduction in the number of obstetric patients who were referred with obstetric emergencies. The severity of maternal disease that was measured at the time of admission to level IV through the Modified Early Obstetric Warning System score was observed to decrease. Conclusion The implementation of a model based on education and teleassistance between low-complexity hospitals and tertiary care centers generated changes in indicators that reflect greater access to rural areas, lower morbidity at the time of admission, and a decrease in the total number of emergency events.

Introducción. La hemorragia posparto es la primera causa de morbimortalidad materna en el mundo y las laceraciones son la segunda causa en frecuencia. Su tratamiento temprano y apropiado es clave para obtener buenos resultados, y la oclusión endovascular de los vasos pélvicos se cuenta entre las opciones terapéuticas. Objetivo. Describir la experiencia del tratamiento con la ‘embolización’ (sic) arterial de los vasos pélvicos. Materiales y métodos. Se trató de un estudio retrospectivo del tipo de serie de casos basado en el registro institucional de la Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia, en el que se incluyeron las pacientes con hemorragia posparto atendidas entre el 1º de enero del 2011 y el 31 de octubre del 2016. Resultados. De las 430 pacientes con diagnóstico de hemorragia posparto, 11 fueron sometidas a la ‘embolización’ de los vasos pélvicos. De este grupo, 10 pacientes tuvieron parto vaginal con laceraciones vaginales complejas, y la mayoría (9 casos, 82 %) fue remitida por otras instituciones de menor complejidad después de 20,5 horas. Las arterias ocluidas frecuentemente fueron la vaginal superior y la pudenda interna. Ninguna paciente presentó complicaciones asociadas al procedimiento y solo dos presentaron sangrado recurrente. Tres pacientes requirieron histerectomía y ninguna murió. Conclusión. El manejo percutáneo es un método de tercera línea, seguro y efectivo para el control de los sangrados de difícil manejo en las pacientes con hemorragia pospartopor desgarros perineales complejos. Estos resultados son similares a los reportados en la literatura científica mundial disponible hasta la fecha.

La mayoría de los métodos sistemáticos y tradicionales generan cierta complejidad para la enseñanza de la lectura y la escritura dentro del aula, por esta razón buscar metodologías alternativas que mejoren significativamente este proceso, se ha convertido en uno de los grandes requerimientos para los docentes a la hora de motivar a los estudiantes a leer y comprender lo que se ha leído y a producir textos escolares. El presente artículo es el resultado del proyecto de investigación “Estrategias didácticas para fortalecer el proceso lecto-escritor” realizado en el Liceo Psicopedagógico Montessori de Chocontá - Cundinamarca, el cual buscó evidenciar las dificultades que presentaban algunos estudiantes en competencias comunicativas como la compresión lectora y en la producción textual; desarrollando una estrategia didáctica que mejorase estos aspectos.

Objectives: Identify and summarize the available literature on the acceleration in the use of telemedicine in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an aim to provide justification and guidance for its implementation to overcome the limitations associated with the pandemic worldwide. Methods: We conducted a scoping review through different search strategies in MEDLINE and Google Scholar to identify the available literature reporting data on implementation and usefulness of various modalities of telemedicine during the current pandemic. We summarized the included studies according to field and mode of implementation in a narrative way. Results: We included 45 studies that fulfilled selection criteria. About 38% of the studies were conducted in the United States of America (USA), followed by 15.5% in India and 15.5% in China. Most studies (73%) were cross-sectional studies based on historical records. All publications were written in English with the exception of 1 studied published in Spanish. The majority of reports focused on use of telemedicine for outpatient care, followed by in-hospital care. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has promoted the use of telemedicine, a tool that has transformed the provision of medical services. Several modes of implementation are useful to overcome difficulties for patient care during the pandemic. Its benefits are specific to different fields of medical practice. Such benefits, along with the guidance and reported experiences should invite health systems to work for an effective and comprehensive implementation of telemedicine in various fields.

Objective To evaluate changes in awareness of maternal sepsis among healthcare providers resulting from the WHO Global Maternal Sepsis Study (GLOSS) awareness campaign.Design Independent sample precampaign/postcampaign through online and paper-based surveys available for over 30 days before campaign roll-out (pre) and after study data collection (post). Descriptive statistics were used for campaign recognition and exposure, and odds ratio (OR) and percentage change were calculated for differences in awareness, adjusting for confounders using multivariate logistic regression.Setting and participants Healthcare providers from 398 participating facilities in 46 low, middle and high-income countries.Intervention An awareness campaign to accompany GLOSS launched 3 weeks prior to data collection and lasting the entire study period (28 November 2017 to 15 January 2018) and beyond.Main outcome measures Campaign recognition and exposure, and changes in awareness.Results A total of 2188 surveys were analysed: 1155 at baseline and 1033 at postcampaign. Most survey respondents found the campaign materials helpful (94%), that they helped increase awareness (90%) and that they helped motivate to act differently (88%). There were significant changes with regard to: not having heard of maternal sepsis (−63.4% change, pre-OR/post-OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.68) and perception of confidence in making the right decisions with regard to maternal sepsis identification and management (7.3% change, pre-OR/post-OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.06).Conclusions Awareness raising campaigns can contribute to an increase in having heard of maternal sepsis and an increase in provider perception of confidence in making correct decisions. Offering the information to make accurate and timely decisions while promoting environments that enable self-confidence and support could improve maternal sepsis identification and management.

Introducción. El quiloperitoneo consiste en la presencia de fluido linfático en la cavidad intraabdominal, complicación poco descrita en el embarazo y cuyas repercusiones no están bien establecidas. Reporte de caso. Se presenta el caso de una mujer gestante con embarazo de 36,5 semanas, sin comorbilidades, hospitalizada por presentar cifras tensionales elevadas asociadas a síntomas de encefalopatía hipertensiva y bradicardia fetal sostenida; se le practicó una cesárea urgente en la cual se evidenció corioperitoneo incidental. La tomografía computarizada abdominal de control no demostró alteraciones. Discusión. Se descartaron las principales causas del quiloperitoneo, las cuales son neoplasia maligna y trauma. Se consideró que se trataba de un quiloperitoneo espontáneo posiblemente relacionado con la congestión pélvica propia del embarazo, por vasodilatación secundaria al influjo hormonal, aumento de la presión intraabdominal y contribución del volumen ascítico por la preeclampsia, que genera ruptura traumática de los vasos linfáticos. Conclusión. La ascitis quilosa es una entidad poco frecuente que puede verse asociada con el embarazo. Es fundamental el criterio acertado del ginecoobstetra para determinar tempranamente la etiología.

Resumen Fondo El propósito de esta serie de casos es describir la experiencia de utilizar el traje antichoque no neumático (TANN) en el manejo de la hemorrágia postparto (HPP) y el choque severo, y el valor de implementar este concepto en hospitales obstétricos de alta complejidad. Métodos Series de casos descriptiva de 77 mujeres que requirieron TANN en el manejo de HPP con choque hipovolémico severo desde junio del 2014 a diciembre del 2015. Se compararon los signos vitales, el índice de choque (IS), el valor de ácido láctico y el déficit de base antes y después de la colocación del TANN. Resultados Cincuenta y seis (77%) mujeres tuvieron un IS > 1,1 en el momento en que se inició el tratamiento del choque; 96% tenían atonía uterina. Todas las mujeres recibieron una dosis estándar de uterotónicos. El tiempo promedio entre el nacimiento y la colocación del TANN fue de 20 minutos. Cuarenta y ocho por ciento de las mujeres recuperaron las variables hemodinámicas en la primera hora y el 100% en las primeras 6 horas; 100% tenían un IS

Objetivo: realizar una revisión de la literatura publicada sobre el tratamiento de la trombosis de vena cava inferior en las gestantes. Materiales y métodos: se describe un caso de trombosis de vena cava inferior en embarazo a término que consultó a una institución privada de cuarto nivel de complejidad, centro de referencia. Se manejó inicialmente con heparina de bajo peso molecular, suspendida 24 horas antes del parto. Se obtuvo un buen resultado perinatal, aunque presentó hemorragia postparto y hematoma perineal. Posteriormente se hizo manejo endovascular para trombolisis e intento de trombectomía. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura con los términos “vena cava inferior”, “filtros de vena cava”, “trombosis” y “embarazo”. Se incluyeron reportes de caso y series de casos en inglés y español. Se seleccionaron todos los casos que describieran el tratamiento utilizado en mujeres con trombosis de vena cava inferior, diagnosticadas durante el embarazo o el puerperio. Resultados: se incluyeron 17 publicaciones que cumplieron con los criterios de búsqueda. Se identificaron 41 casos; 35 pacientes fueron diagnosticadas con trombosis de vena cava inferior durante el embarazo y 6 durante el puerperio. El 100 % de las pacientes fueron anticoaguladas con heparina de bajo peso molecular o heparina no fraccionada, 34 gestantes requirieron filtro de vena cava inferior para manejo periparto y solo una gestante terminó en trombectomía. Conclusión: la trombosis de vena cava inferior en el periparto es un reto desde el punto de vista terapéutico, se debe equilibrar el riesgo de TEP y hemorragia masiva. Es fundamental tener una adecuada coordinación entre los diferentes servicios implicados garantizando máxima seguridad para evitar complicaciones.

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio es reportar dos casos de embarazo ectópico abdominal avanzado, con buen resultado materno / perinatal, y revisar la literatura disponible con respecto al manejo de la placenta y el pronóstico de esta entidad. Materiales y métodos: se describen dos casos de embarazo ectópico abdominal avanzado en los que se realizó extracción de la placenta, con feto viable y resultado perinatal favorable. Estos fueron atendidos en una institución de cuarto nivel de complejidad, ubicada en la ciudad de Cali, Colombia. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura registrada en las bases de datos Medline vía PubMed, con los términos de búsqueda: “embarazo abdominal”, “embarazo esplénico”, “embarazo hepático”, “embarazo omental” y “embarazo peritoneal”. La búsqueda se limitó a artículos publicados durante los últimos doce años en inglés y español. Resultados: se recuperaron 228 referencias, de las cuales 42 artículos cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión que informan un total de 74 pacientes con embarazo ectópico abdominal. En cuanto al manejo de la placenta, la remoción de la misma se informó en 42 casos (58%). La mortalidad materna se presentó en 4 casos (4,1%), todos por hemorragia posparto. Un total de 60 pacientes (81%) presentaron complicaciones, la más frecuente fue hemorragia en 38 de ellas (51%). En cuanto al resultado perinatal, se encontró una mortalidad perinatal del (43,8%). Conclusión: el manejo de la placenta es el punto clave del que podría depender la frecuencia de complicaciones maternas. Se requieren estudios prospectivos que evalúen el manejo más seguro y efectivo de esta condición.

Objetivo:describir la experiencia de dos casos de gestantes con estenosis mitral valvular, llevadas a valvuloplastia percutánea con balón y dilatación como alternativa terapéutica para contrarrestar los riesgos de colapso y deterioro materno-fetal y permitir la progresión del embarazo sin complicaciones cardiovasculares o el deterioro funcional, y realizar una revisión de la literatura publicada sobre la realización del procedimiento en gestantes. Materiales y métodos: se presentan dos casos de estenosis mitral severa y compromiso funcional asociado, de aparición en el segundo trimestre del embarazo, atendidos en una institución de cuarto nivel de complejidad, centro de referencia regional. Se manejaron por medio de valvuloplastia mitral con balón, con desenlaces clínicos maternos perinatales favorables. La revisión de la literatura se hizo a partir de los términos: “valvuloplastia”, “estenosis mitral” y “embarazo”. Se realizó una búsqueda en la base de datos Medline vía PubMed, Medes y Scopus. Se excluyeron los procedimientos descritos que estaban dirigidos al reparo valvular del feto. Los estudios se centraron en los hallazgos diagnósticos y el curso del procedimiento quirúrgico. Resultados: se identificaron doce títulos. Los resultados obtenidos son comparables a los reportes de casos de estenosis de válvula mitral con procedimiento asistido por balón para dilatación de la válvula. En general, el procedimiento es exitoso, incrementa el área de la válvula mitral y reduce el gradiente de presión en la válvula. No obstante, existe el riesgo de desarrollar insuficiencia de válvula mitral tras la conducta, trombosis y muerte. Conclusión: la valvuloplastia percutánea con balón y dilatación como alternativa terapéutica es una opción por considerar en el manejo de la estenosis mitral en la gestante con deterioro de la clase funcional y el aumento durante el seguimiento de la presión en cuña pulmonar. Se requieren estudios controlados que validen los resultados de los estudios observacionales.

Objetivo: determinar la utilidad de la ligadura de la vena ovárica dilatada por vía laparoscópica en el tratamiento del síndrome de congestión pélvica. Tipo de estudio: ensayo clínico controlado no aleatorizado. Institución: Clínica Los Andes, Cali - Colombia. Pacientes: 70 pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado por laparoscopia de síndrome de congestión pélvica. Intervenciones: ligadura de la vena ovárica en 28 pacientes (grupo experimental) y manejo médico en 42 pacientes (grupo control). Resultados: en el grupo experimental se observó una mejoría del dolor del síndrome de congestión pélvica a los 6 meses en 26 de los 28 pacientes versus 11 de 42 pacientes en el grupo control (RR 3,41 IC95% 2,02-5,76). Comentarios: las pacientes sometidas a varicocelectomía laparoscópica tienen una mayor probabilidad de curación del dolor en el síndrome de congestión pélvica.Objective: determining the usefulness of ligature of dilated ovarian vein by laparoscope in treating pelvic congestion syndrome. Type of study: non-randomized controlled clinical trial. Institution: Clínica Los Andes, Cali, Colombia. Patients: 70 patients having a diagnosis of pelvic congestion syndrome confirmed by laparoscope. Interventions: ligature of ovarian vein in 28 patients (experimental group) and medical management in 42 patients (control group). Results: an improvement in managing pain related to pelvic congestion syndrome was observed in the experimental group after 6 months in 26 out of the 28 patients cf. 11 out of 42 patients in the control group (3.41 RR; 2.02-5.76 95%CI). Comments: patients undergoing laparoscopic varicocelectomy had a greater probability of pelvic congestion syndrome becoming cured.

Cada una de las decisiones alrededor de pacientes obstétricas críticas requiere un equipo multidisciplinario de especialistas en cuidado crítico de adultos y en medicina materno-fetal para el difícil entendimiento y manejo de la historia natural de las enfermedades y sus complicaciones durante la gestación, el parto y el puerperio. No existen guías detalladas en Colombia que describan los planes de acción frente a una paciente embarazada en condiciones críticas; de ahí la importancia de un consenso que permita establecer el nivel de cuidado crítico requerido por este grupo poblacional especial, estandarizar las condiciones de atención de las gestantes críticas y generar planteamientos académicos y éticos frente a esta estrategia de alto impacto para la reducción de la mortalidad materna.