In this episode of the FlightBridgeED Podcast, Dr. Michael Lauria and guest Dr. Alex Pfeiffer, a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) fellow, delve into the critical and complex topic of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder (PAS). With its rapidly evolving complications, this condition demands acute recognition, careful transport coordination, and multidisciplinary care. Together, they unpack the spectrum’s pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnostic strategies, and advanced management protocols essential for critical care and transport teams. Whether you’re a seasoned provider or new to pre-hospital medicine, this episode provides practical knowledge and actionable insights to elevate your clinical practice.

Catch this episode and more wherever you listen to podcasts or on our website at flightbridgeed.com. While there, explore our award-winning courses and other free content in our Culture section to advance your career and expand your critical care expertise.

Takeaways

• Advanced Insight: The importance of understanding PAS as a spectrum, including the implications of invasive placentation on maternal hemorrhage and the role of multidisciplinary teams in patient outcomes.
• Practical Application: Early recognition of PAS through clinical and diagnostic signs, such as Doppler flow abnormalities, hypervascularity, and placental lakes, to facilitate timely and appropriate interventions.
• Foundational Knowledge: Awareness of risk factors like prior cesarean sections, placenta previa, and uterine surgeries that increase the likelihood of PAS and necessitate careful monitoring.

References
1.             Dunbar N, Cooke M, Diab M, Toy P. Transfusion-related acute lung injury after transfusion of maternal blood: a case-control study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). Nov 1 2010;35(23):E1322-7. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181e3dad2

2.             Eller AG, Bennett MA, Sharshiner M, et al. Maternal morbidity in cases of placenta accreta managed by a multidisciplinary care team compared with standard obstetric care. Obstet Gynecol. Feb 2011;117(2 Pt 1):331-337. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182051db2

3.             Eller AG, Porter TF, Soisson P, Silver RM. Optimal management strategies for placenta accreta. Bjog. Apr 2009;116(5):648-54. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.02037.x

4.             Jauniaux E, Bunce C, Grønbeck L, Langhoff-Roos J. Prevalence and main outcomes of placenta accreta spectrum: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. Sep 2019;221(3):208-218. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2019.01.233

5.             Murphy EL, Kwaan N, Looney MR, et al. Risk factors and outcomes in transfusion-associated circulatory overload. Am J Med. Apr 2013;126(4):357.e29-38. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2012.08.019

6.             Pachtman S, Koenig S, Meirowitz N. Detecting Pulmonary Edema in Obstetric Patients Through Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasonography. Obstet Gynecol. Mar 2017;129(3):525-529. doi:10.1097/aog.0000000000001909

7.             Padilla CR, Shamshirsaz A. Critical care in obstetrics. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. May 2022;36(1):209-225. doi:10.1016/j.bpa.2022.02.001

8.             Padilla CR, Shamshirsaz AA, Easter SR, et al. Critical Care in Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders-A Call to Action. Am J Perinatol. Jul 2023;40(9):988-995. doi:10.1055/s-0043-1761638

9.             Panigrahi AK, Yeaton-Massey A, Bakhtary S, et al. A Standardized Approach for Transfusion Medicine Support in Patients With Morbidly Adherent Placenta. Anesth Analg. Aug 2017;125(2):603-608. doi:10.1213/ane.0000000000002050

10.          Pegu B, Thiagaraju C, Nayak D, Subbaiah M. Placenta accreta spectrum-a catastrophic situation in obstetrics. Obstet Gynecol Sci. May 2021;64(3):239-247. doi:10.5468/ogs.20345

11.          Roubinian N. TACO and TRALI: biology, risk factors, and prevention strategies. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. Nov 30 2018;2018(1):585-594. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2018.1.585

12.          Sawada M, Matsuzaki S, Mimura K, Kumasawa K, Endo M, Kimura T. Successful conservative management of placenta percreta: Investigation by serial magnetic resonance imaging of the clinical course and a literature review. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. Dec 2016;42(12):1858-1863. doi:10.1111/jog.13121

13.          Sentilhes L, Kayem G, Chandraharan E, Palacios-Jaraquemada J, Jauniaux E. FIGO consensus guidelines on placenta accreta spectrum disorders: Conservative management. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. Mar 2018;140(3):291-298. doi:10.1002/ijgo.12410

14.          Shamshirsaz AA, Fox KA, Erfani H, et al. Coagulopathy in surgical management of placenta accreta spectrum. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. Jun 2019;237:12 6-130. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.04.026

15.          Silver RM, Barbour KD. Placenta accreta spectrum: accreta, increta, and percreta. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. Jun 2015;42(2):381-402. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2015.01.014

16.          Simonazzi G, Bisulli M, Saccone G, Moro E, Marshall A, Berghella V. Tranexamic acid for preventing postpartum blood loss after cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. Jan 2016;95(1):28-37. doi:10.1111/aogs.12798

17.          Tadayon M, Javadifar N, Dastoorpoor M, Shahbazian N. Frequency, Risk Factors, and Pregnancy Outcomes in Cases with Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder: A Case-Control Study. J Reprod Infertil. Oct-Dec 2022;23(4):279-287. doi:10.18502/jri.v23i4.10814

18.          Tinari S, Buca D, Cali G, et al. Risk factors, histopathology and diagnostic accuracy in posterior placenta accreta spectrum disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. Jun 2021;57(6):903-909. doi:10.1002/uog.22183

19.          Toy P, Gajic O, Bacchetti P, et al. Transfusion-related acute lung injury: incidence and risk factors. Blood. Feb 16 2012;119(7):1757-67. doi:10.1182/blood-2011-08-370932

20.          Toy P, Popovsky MA, Abraham E, et al. Transfusion-related acute lung injury: definition and review. Crit Care Med. Apr 2005;33(4):721-6. doi:10.1097/01.ccm.0000159849.94750.51

21.          Warshak CR, Ramos GA, Eskander R, et al. Effect of predelivery diagnosis in 99 consecutive cases of placenta accreta. Obstet Gynecol. Jan 2010;115(1):65-69. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181c4f12a

The FlightBridgeED Winter Sale is here! Save 20% on Online Review Courses, trusted by tens of thousands for over 12 years to help you pass your advanced certification exams.

Need to recertify? Our Advanced Refresher Course is built on research and evidence-based practice—not trends—and accepted in all 50 states.

Hurry—sale ends December 26th! Visit FlightBridgeED.com to save now.

Episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/92fa73b4

Podcast: https://flightbridgeed.com