Postpartum hemorrhage: new insights for definition and diagnosis

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 219; no. 2; pp. 162 - 168
• Main Authors: Borovac-Pinheiro, A., Pacagnella, R.C., Cecatti, J.G., Miller, S., El Ayadi, A.M., Souza, J.P., Durocher, J., Blumenthal, P.D., Winikoff, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-08-2018
• Subjects: clinical sign; definition; postpartum hemorrhage; shock index; postpartum hemorrhage; definition; clinical sign; shock index
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.04.013

The current definition of is inadequate for early recognition of this important cause of maternal death that is responsible for >80,000 deaths worldwide in 2015. A stronger definition of postpartum hemorrhage should include both blood loss and clinical signs of cardiovascular changes after delivery, which would help providers to identify postpartum hemorrhage more promptly and accurately. Along with the amount of blood loss, clinical signs, and specifically the shock index (heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure) appear to aid in more accurate diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage.