Dr. Chapa’s Clinical Pearls‪.‬ Dr. Chapa’s Clinical Pearls

Podcast family, this episode is recorded on the last day of the ACOG ACSM. Wanted to share with you some encouragement that I received from our podcast family members over these last 2 to 3 days. AND of course, in typical style, I’ll share with you a brand new publication which was released on May 17, 2024 in the AJOG (GRAY Journal) regarding “optimal dose of antenatal corticosteroids”. And lastly, I’ll share 3 Special Announcements, as an FYI.

We all can agree that we need a new ally against the foe of pre-term birth. With the disappointing results regarding the (lack of) efficacy of progesterone in reducing preterm birth, the search is out for a new, effective tool to reduce pre-term birth rates. Enter: the Lioness(tm) device. In this episode, we will review a new “safety and efficacy” study published today (May 16, 2024) in the AJOG. Is this ready for prime time? And how does this device work? Listen in for details.

Unbelievable timing! In our immediate past episode, we discussed the controversy surrounding pharmacoprophylaxis for antepartum inpatients. Just 3 days from that episode, a new RCT has been published in the Green Journal (Obstet Gynecol) discussing this very subject! This new RCT (published May 14, 2024) investigates the “best dose” of unfractionated heparin (UFH) during antepartum admissions? is there an advantage to “gestational – age based” dosing? Or should standard UFH dosing be used?

All of us can agree that the rates of obesity are progressively climbing, not just in the US, but globally. Obesity is a known independent risk factor in pregnancy for VTE. Several professional societies (ACOG, CMQCC, RCOG, SMFM) have clear recommendations for VTE pharmacoprophylaxis in patients considered at high risk. These include having a high risk thrombophilia, having a personal history of VTE, or having multiple risk factors. But these recommendations address POSTPARTUM prophylaxis. The ACOG does not specifically address inpatient prophylaxis during the antepartum interval. However, in cases of prolonged antepartum admission, where ambulation may be slightly limited, there is concern that the hypercoagulable state of pregnancy, together with obesity, may raise the risk of VTE in these antepartum patients. To be clear, no professional organization or guidelines recommend strict bedrest for pregnancy complications. Is VTE pharmacoprophylaxis endorsed in these admitted antepartum patients? The answer is both YES and NO. The use of heparin based agents in this group is controversial, with published expert opinions having a dichotomy of thought. Plus, recent data (2023) has raised questions regarding pharmacoprophylaxis’ efficacy in the postpartum interval. nonetheless, at the end of the episode, will provide some common sense approaches to VTE prevention in the admitted antepartum, obese patient. (With a special shout-out to our podcast family in Australia.).

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is known as a normal vaginal microbiota resulting in low lactobacilli; it affects one-quarter to one-third of reproductive-age women. The BV treatment landscape has not appreciably changed in decades: in the US, metronidazole and clindamycin are recommended as first-line treatments for symptomatic BV, and secnidazole and tinidazole are used as alternatives. Although these treatments are effective in the short term, up to 60% of women experience BV recurrence within 1 year of treatment. Some have more frequent recurrences. Suppressive vaginal metronidazole fails for 25% of patients and leads to secondary vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in up to 40%, and many patients have BV recurrence after stopping suppressive therapy. But now a “new” therapeutic option has been in print and is attracting a lot of attention. DQC has been available in other parts of the world for decades, and recently published results from a new European clinical investigation (May 2024) adds more reassuring date. This has led many in the United States to call for trials in this country to begin FDA approval. Listen in for details.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in newborns and children. Tocolytic drugs aim to delay preterm birth by suppressing uterine contractions to allow time for administration of corticosteroids for fetal lung maturation, magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection, and transport to a facility with appropriate neonatal care facilities. However, there is still uncertainty about their effectiveness and safety. Plus, more than 90% of the data regarding tocolytic use comes from patients with threatened preterm labor with intact membranes, with (according to the WHO) only 9% of available data is regarding patients with ruptured membranes. But in May 2024, a new publication adds further information to this subset of patients. In this episode, we will review this ongoing controversy regarding the benefits of tocolytic therapy, and when they may provide the most efficacy. And yes, of course, we will provide the ACOG guidance as well.