TITLE:
Obstetric Hemorrhage and Hypothermia: Chilling Facts
AUTHORS:
Wayne R. Cohen
KEYWORDS:
Coagulopathy, Hemorrhage, Hemorrhagic Shock, Hypothermia, Postpartum Hemorrhage
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.8 No.13,
October
30,
2018
ABSTRACT: Objective: This clinical perspective reviews the causes,
prevention and treatment of accidental hypothermia in severe obstetric
hemorrhage. Results: Hypothermia commonly accompanies hemorrhagic shock. Hypothermia can
inhibit blood coagulation, reduce cardiac contractility, predispose to arrhythmias,
contribute to acidosis, and suppress immune function. Several techniques for
warming a patient or reducing heat loss are available. Keeping the patient dry,
covering her with blankets, and raising the ambient temperature in the room are
valuable. Methods to transmit heat actively are more effective. Forced warm air
blowers are efficient. Heating intravenous fluids is important, and warm fluid
lavage of the open abdomen can be effective. Conclusion: Monitoring core temperature in the operating room
and choosing therapy is a shared responsibility of surgeon and
anesthesiologist.