Anthony Shanks, MD, professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at Indiana University School of Medicine, was a guest on the BackTable OBGYN Podcast episode titled “IR/OB Collaboration in Treating Postpartum Hemorrhage.” Shanks, Dr. Christopher Beck and Dr. Roxane Rampersad discussed cross-specialty management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) between OBGYN and interventional radiology. The episode can be found on BackTable, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Podcast Show Notes
At the beginning of the episode, Rampersad and Shanks explain the definition of PPH based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines. They provide an overview of the differences between early/acute versus late blood loss, in addition to the most common etiologies using the “Four T’s” pneumonic: tone, trauma, tissue, thrombin. Rampersad and Shanks then describe their approach to the workup and management of PPH. The group discusses topics such as uterine massage, oxytocin, hemabate/methergine, tamponade (e.g. Bakri balloon, the JADA System), embolization and hysterectomy.
The physicians also describe the role of cross-specialty collaboration between OBGYN and IR, specifically in the management of PPH. The episode concludes with a discussion on what the future may hold for PPH, including more personalized medicine and potential technologies to prevent PAS. Shanks and Rampersad conclude by giving IR colleagues insight into what may strengthen the collaboration between OBGYN and IR to provide optimal care for patients with PPH.
