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Anesthesia Considerations of a Pregnant Woman With COVID-19


Undergoing Cesarean Delivery: A Case Report

Article · July 2020

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COVID-19 Resources

Anesthesia Considerations of a Pregnant Woman


With COVID-19 Undergoing Cesarean Delivery:
A Case Report

Jennifer L. Harenberg, MS, CRNA


Robert Church, DNP, CRNA
Tito D. Tubog, DNAP, CRNA

Physiologic changes during pregnancy may increase successful spinal anesthetic in a pregnant woman with
the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infec- confirmed COVID-19. To prepare for the likelihood of
tion. Limited data show serious complications of caring for women during labor and cesarean delivery,
COVID-19 infection and pregnancy. Severe adverse anesthesia professionals must know how to provide
maternal and perinatal outcomes such as preterm safe, patient-centered care and how to protect every
delivery, intensive care unit admission, and neonatal member of the obstetric team from exposure to the
and intrauterine death have been reported. Our knowl- virus. In addition, it is paramount that our profession
edge of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, disease pro- shares our experiences and practices to help guide our
gression, and clinical course of COVID-19 is continually multidisciplinary approach in delivering the best care
changing as more information and evidence emerge. possible to these women.
The present case adds further insights on COVID-19
and anesthesia considerations for patients undergoing Keywords: Anesthesia, cesarean delivery, COVID-19,
cesarean delivery. In this case report, we describe a pregnancy, spinal anesthetic.

T
he outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease Similar findings were described in a systematic review
2019 (COVID-19) infection has become a and meta-analysis of 19 studies showing that 41% of the
global health crisis. Exposure to this pathogen pregnant women infected with COVID-19 deliver prema-
predisposes both the mother and fetus to an turely at less than 37 weeks.5
increased risk of infection and severe adverse There is variability in the rate of cesarean delivery in
maternal and perinatal outcomes.1 The physiologic and COVID-19–infected patients. An analysis of 108 preg-
immunologic changes during pregnancy increase mater- nancies shows that 91% delivered via cesarean delivery.6
nal morbidity and mortality.2 Because current data on In addition, most women undergoing cesarean delivery
COVID-19 and its impact on pregnancy are not entirely have thrombocytopenia and elevated C-reactive protein,
understood, researchers draw on experiences from previ- which may increase the severity of COVID-19 and neuro-
ous coronavirus outbreaks as a guide to infer the severity logic complications.7-9 There are known maternal deaths
of COVID-19 to pregnant women. For instance, during of patients with COVID-19 due to respiratory complica-
the 2009 influenza A virus subtype H1N1 pandemic, tions after delivery.10 Neonatal and intrauterine death
infected pregnant women experienced more severe com- have been reported in reviews of numerous studies.6,11
plications compared with the general population.3 Simi- Our knowledge of the epidemiology, pathogenesis,
larly, the case fatality rates for severe acute respiratory disease progression, and clinical course of COVID-19 is con-
syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome tinually changing as more information and evidence emerge.
(MERS) were significantly higher in pregnant women The limited knowledge of the impact of COVID-19 on preg-
compared with nonpregnant women.2 Severe sequelae nant women and the limited clinical experience in managing
such as preterm deliveries, stillbirths, respiratory compli- COVID-19 in pregnant women pose a potential anesthetic
cations, and maternal mortality were common during the challenge during labor and delivery. Professional societies
SARS and MERS epidemics.2 have issued interim guidance regarding the evaluation and
Case reports show serious complications of COVID-19 management of pregnant women with COVID-19.12-19
infection and pregnancy. Mullins and colleagues4 ana- The purpose of this case report is to present additional
lyzed 23 case reports or case series and reported adverse information on COVID-19 and anesthesia considerations
morbidity to include intensive care unit (ICU) admis- for patients undergoing cesarean delivery. In this case
sions. In the same narrative review, 47% of pregnant report, we describe a successful spinal anesthetic in a
women admitted to the hospital had preterm delivery. pregnant woman with confirmed COVID-19.

www.aana.com/aanajournalonline AANA Journal  August 2020  online content 47


Case Summary follows: BP of 153/79 mm Hg, HR of 76/min, and SpO2
A 34-year-old woman, gravida 2, para 1, presented to the of 95% on room air. Supplemental oxygen at 2 L/min was
clinic for a scheduled nonstress test because of her gesta- delivered via a nasal cannula under the patient’s surgical
tional diabetes and increased body mass index (BMI). At mask. A liter of Ringer’s lactate was infused through an
a gestation of 38 weeks and 5 days, the patient was 147 18-gauge access catheter in the patient’s right hand. The
cm tall and weighed 105 kg, with a BMI of 48 kg/m2. The patient was prepared and draped in the usual fashion,
patient had gestational diabetes, and her blood glucose and the skin was localized with 3 mL of 1% lidocaine
level was controlled with an oral hypoglycemic drug. The at the L3-L4 interspace after landmarks were identified.
patient had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy (also The 24-gauge spinal anesthesia needle (Pencan, B Braun
delivered by Cesarean delivery) but had only a few iso- Medical Inc) was placed via an introducer after the return
lated elevated blood pressures (BPs) with this pregnancy. of cerebrospinal fluid, with good barbotage. A 1.6-mL so-
She had a history of a positive tuberculosis blood test lution of 0.75% hyperbaric bupivacaine with fentanyl (15
(Quantiferon-TB Gold Plus, Qiagen) with a normal chest μg) and preservative-free morphine sulfate (Duramorph,
radiograph in 2019. 150 μg) was injected intrathecally. The patient was placed
During this admission, her chest radiograph showed in a supine position with left uterine displacement. The
probable atelectasis. The patient had no known drug sensory block was assessed using pinprick testing. The
allergies. Her electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sinus surgical incision was started when the sensory level
tachycardia with a rate of 100/min. She had a hemato- reached the T4 level and a Bromage scale of 3.
crit of 39% and a platelet count of 156 × 103/μL. At this A lower segment cesarean delivery with bilateral tubal
scheduled appointment, the patient arrived wearing a ligation via the Pomeroy technique was performed. The
facial mask, and she reported a dry cough with occa- patient had an estimated blood loss of 700 mL and urine
sional green sputum, nasal congestion, body aches, and output of 40 mL, and total intravenous fluids admin-
mild headache. All symptoms started 2 days before this istered were 1,600 mL. Her high BP was treated with
appointment. Her temperature was 37.4 °C, and it was ephedrine and phenylephrine as necessary.
recommended to send her to the emergency department The patient delivered a viable infant with Apgar
(ED) for COVID-19 testing. There, the patient’s nasal scores of 8 and 9 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. After
cavity was swabbed to test for the COVID-19 virus. In delivery, oxytocin (40 units) was added to 1 L of lac-
the ED, her vital signs were as follows: heart rate (HR) tated Ringer’s solution.
of 100/min, BP of 158/83 mm Hg, respiratory rate of The infant was immediately taken to the neonatal ICU
23/min, oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry and was to be quarantined from her parents for 14 days.
(Spo2) of 97% on room air, and a temperature of 36.1 °C. The mother was transferred to a negative pressure room.
She was transferred back to the labor and delivery unit The OR was disinfected after the procedure, and all anes-
for observation in case she had more elevated BPs that thesia machine breathing circuits were discarded.
would negate delivery. Postoperative analgesia was achieved using a standard
Eight hours after testing, a positive COVID-19 test morphine (Duramorph) order set, which included up to
result was reported. Within 4 hours after confirmation of 6 mg of morphine intravenously each hour. These orders
the positive result, she began contracting uncomfortably, were in place for 12 hours after the preservative-free
and assessment of the cervical os showed a 4-cm dilation. morphine was given intrathecally in the OR. Oxygen
The obstetric team decided to proceed with a cesarean saturation was 96% with 2 L by nasal cannula. She was
delivery with bilateral tubal ligation. started on hydroxychloroquine therapy at 400 mg twice
After the patient signed an informed consent form, daily for 1 day and then 200 mg twice daily for 4 days.
azithromycin (500 mg) was administered intravenously, She had serial ECGs to monitor QT intervals during hy-
and acetaminophen (1 g) was given orally. At the same droxychloroquine treatment.
time, the anesthesia machine was prepared with a heat Her postoperative course was uneventful until post-
moisture exchange filter (HMEF) between the breath- operative day four, when she became febrile and desatu-
ing circuit and the patient’s airway. The patient was as- rated to the low 80% level, with new midlung to lower
sisted into a wheelchair, a surgical mask was applied, and lung opacities. The patient was eventually placed on
she was transported to the operating room (OR). Both mechanical ventilation support and admitted to the ICU
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and the with the diagnosis of COVID-19–related pneumonia.
labor nurse each donned a yellow isolation gown, regular In the ICU, the patient was given a 10-day remdesivir
gloves (double-gloved), and a standard bouffant cap. The regimen with convalescent plasma and tocilizumab. The
CRNAs also wore splash shields, N95 respirator masks, patient was extubated 16 days after the ICU admission.
and goggles in the event of airway manipulation.
Standard noninvasive monitors were applied on the Discussion
patient’s arrival to the OR. Baseline vital signs were as • State of the Art. The SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

48 AANA Journal  August 2020  online content www.aana.com/aanajournalonline


that causes COVID-19 has been found to be highly borne precautions because of the high transmissibility of
virulent and can be transmitted through droplets from COVID-19. In our department, we allocated an observer
normal breathing, sneezing, and coughing, and by aero- to guide proper donning and doffing of personal protec-
solization of bodily fluid discharge.20 Some of the clinical tive equipment (PPE). Sequential steps for donning and
features associated with COVID-19 include lower respi- doffing PPE are presented by the Centers for Disease and
ratory tract infection with fever, dry cough, shortness of Prevention (CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/
breath, and malaise.20 As the COVID-19 outbreak contin- PPE-Sequence-508.pdf). Consistent with strict anesthesia
ues, it is essential to evaluate the effects of the disease on management in cesarean delivery is the effective use of
special populations, including the parturient. personnel. Regardless of the type of cesarean delivery,
To date, the case fatality rate for COVID-19 is rapidly the current recommendation outlines the use of the most
changing. Information from a small number of case experienced provider performing procedures such as
reports or series indicates that the clinical findings of subarachnoid blocks or intubations. Furthermore, the
pregnant women with COVID-19 are similar to those Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology sug-
in nonpregnant women.21 Furthermore, the severity gests that the anesthesia department minimize the use
of the disease in pregnant women is similar to that in of trainees in the room of a patient with COVID-19.14 In
other adults.22 However, reviews of COVID-19 cases in our case, we used 2 CRNAs for 2 reasons. First, one of the
pregnant women reported severe and critical illness re- CRNAs was a new hire to the anesthesia department and
quiring hospitalization and ICU admission.4,23 Although was in his second week of orientation as a new graduate
the exact mechanism of COVID-19 transmission has of a nurse anesthesia program. The newly hired CRNA
not been entirely determined, reputable agencies report had less experience than the other provider; however,
that the virus is spread through droplets.24,25 Hence, he was confident in his neuraxial technique and asked
there is a growing concern that pregnant mothers are to be part of the case as a valuable learning experience.
at risk because of physiologic changes occurring during The institution in which this case is presented is a teach-
pregnancy. Atelectasis due to the growing fetus and con- ing hospital, and thus the culture of education is highly
striction of the diaphragm, reduced functional residual prioritized. Second, the safety of clinicians was enhanced
capacity, and increased oxygen consumption are likely through a “buddy system” in the donning and doffing of
to affect pulmonary reserve and can result in adverse PPE. This case was the inaugural COVID-19 case in the
patient outcomes.26 Intrauterine transmission is a reason- operating suite at this particular institution, so to proceed
able concern; however, current evidence suggests vertical as safely as possible, the providers believed that working
transmission is unlikely.27,28 together was in the best interest of the patient and all
The anesthesia management of the patient with a healthcare workers involved.
suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection presents a The diagnosis of COVID-19 in itself is not a con-
major challenge for anesthesia professionals because of traindication to neuraxial anesthesia.12-19 The safety of
the pathophysiologic and confirmed rapid human-to- neuraxial techniques in suspected or confirmed cases of
human transmission of the virus through symptomatic COVID-19 has been documented. The decision to use a
and asymptomatic carriers. As with SARS and MERS, the particular anesthetic technique for cesarean delivery is
most critical goal in the OR is to prevent cross-contam- based on a variety of factors, including risks to the par-
ination by implementing stringent anesthesia guidelines turient or fetus and the skill set of the provider.30 Spinal
and infection control strategies in the perioperative anesthesia was preferred to general anesthesia because
setting (Table). The American Association of Nurse the benefits outweigh the risk.31 It is well documented
Anesthetists (AANA) published an infographic highlight- that regional anesthesia aids in the reduction of pain
ing anesthesia considerations in managing patients with scores and opioid consumption, postoperative nausea
COVID-19 infection.29 and vomiting, and the risk of aspiration and difficult
Pregnant women with suspected or confirmed airway associated with general anesthesia.32 During
COVID-19 should be triaged and their condition cat- tracheal intubation, the risk of transmission of upper re-
egorized as mild, severe, or critical. Liang and Acharya7 spiratory tract infection to healthcare providers is known
classified a symptomatic patient with stable vital signs to be 6.6 times greater than those not exposed to intuba-
as having a mild case of COVID-19. Pregnant patients tion.33 Regional anesthesia offers the benefit of avoiding
with tachypnea and hypoxemia expressed as a partial airway manipulation and instrumentation; this decreases
pressure of arterial blood oxygen /oxygen concentration the chance of coughing and viral aerosolization during
ratio less than or equal to 300 mm Hg are considered to intubation and extubation.34 Besides, the maintenance of
have severe cases. Moreover, pregnant women present- pulmonary function may reduce postoperative complica-
ing with shock and multiorgan system failure requiring tions in a patient with COVID-19 and associated pneu-
mechanical ventilation have critical cases. monia or acute respiratory distress syndrome.33
In our case, we employed rigorous contact and air- As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise

www.aana.com/aanajournalonline AANA Journal  August 2020  online content 49


Perioperative Clinical considerations/management of
phase obstetric patients with COVID-19

Prehospital admission • Conduct phone screening before appointment.


• If patient is asymptomatic for COVID-19, proceed with routine prenatal care.
• Perform severity assessment if patient presents in clinic with symptoms.
• For COVID-19 testing, prioritize patients with suspected COVID-19 or those who have signs and
symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.
Preoperative • Isolate patient in negative pressure room.
• All healthcare providers involved in care should wear gown, gloves, N95 mask, and face shield (per
hospital protocol).
• Patient should wear a surgical mask.
• Use hospital’s adopted checklist for donning appropriate PPE. If possible, obtain an observer.
• Order routine laboratory studies and encourage neuraxial anesthesia in absence of thrombocytopenia.
• Avoid general anesthesia to mitigate the risks involved in aerosol-generating procedure.
• Prepare COVID-19 OR kit to avoid contaminating medication station (uterotonic agents,
vasopressors, narcotics for intrathecal administration, and antiemetics).
• Dedicate an OR for patients with COVID-19, to minimize contaminating surfaces.
• Alert necessary staff for backup coverage and assign a runner to retrieve supplies or help if needed.
Intraoperative • Use of spinal anesthesia is not contraindicated for patients with COVID-19 and should be the
preferred method of anesthesia for these patients.
• Follow standard precautions when placing neuraxial anesthetic.
• Avoid excessive or deep sedation to reduce need for any airway manipulation or instrumentation.
• Patient should wear a surgical mask at all times throughout procedure to minimize viral spread.
• If general anesthesia is indicated, all personnel in OR at time of intubation should wear PPE for
airborne precautions.
• Minimize OR to only essential personnel during intubation.
• Preoxygenation should occur with a breathing circuit extension and high-quality filter at the patient
side of the circuit.
• Maximize chance of first-pass intubation by having experienced providers manage airway.
• Use video laryngoscopy if able.
• During extubation, which has a high risk of aerosolization of the virus, minimize personnel in OR
and be sure every healthcare worker is protected with proper PPE.
• The patient should be monitored in OR until safe and before transfer to a COVID-19–designated
room following hospital guidelines.
Postoperative • Use of NSAIDs in the intraoperative and postoperative periods lacks sufficient evidence. It is
unknown if the treatment of postpartum pain with NSAIDs will worsen the trajectory of patients
with COVID-19.
• Administer antiemetics to prevent vomiting in patients undergoing cesarean delivery because
gagging and vomiting are considered aerosolization events.
• Because of potential risks of immunosuppression with corticosteroid use, avoid use of
dexamethasone in this patient population for PONV prophylaxis and treatment.
• Healthcare facilities providing inpatient obstetric care should limit visitors to those essential for the
pregnant woman’s care.
• Encourage use of communication techniques that avoid person-to-person contact, such as phone
calls and videoconference calls.

Table. Current Clinical Obstetric Anesthesia Practice and Preparedness Recommendations for Cesarean
Delivery2,12-19,38
Abbreviations: COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; HEPA, high-efficiency particulate air; NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
OR, operating room; PONV, postoperative nausea and vomiting; PPE, personal protective equipment

and as the knowledge of the pathogenicity of the virus sponse is necessary to optimize and provide high-quality
continues to evolve, anesthesia professionals face chal- patient care and to prevent virus transmission in periop-
lenges in the care of laboring mothers and those who erative settings. Professional organizations have outlined
will undergo a cesarean delivery. A coordinated team re- recommendations and guidelines in the delivery of care

50 AANA Journal  August 2020  online content www.aana.com/aanajournalonline


to pregnant patients.12-19 We highlight here the evidence- general anesthesia, the staff should implement the appro-
based precautionary steps that are vital during the care of priate infection control procedures.38,39 The anesthesia
a pregnant and laboring patient with COVID-19. machine is prepared with an HMEF between the circuit
• Recommendations for Anesthesia Care. Preadmission and the patient’s airway to avoid the virus from entering
screening for potential COVID-19 exposure is conducted the internal parts of the machine and to subsequently
over the phone, and a preanesthesia assessment is done prevent pathogen transmission to other patients.29 Two
through video devices. According to the CDC, the additional high-quality filters can be used on both the
clinical presentation of COVID-19 includes fever, dry expiratory and inspiratory limbs if supplies of filters are
cough, and shortness of breath.24 Other common clini- not limited.29,40 To prepare for these emergency scenar-
cal manifestations of COVID-19 infection are anosmia, ios, we recommend creating an emergency PPE kit that
hyposmia, and dysgeusia. In fact, the American Academy can expedite the donning process of the providers. These
of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recommends kits would contain the gowns, face shields, and N95
the screening of patients who report the loss or reduction masks. It is essential to have a variety of styles and types
of taste and/or smell.35 of N95 masks available in these kits for each provider’s
Once admitted to the labor and delivery department, preference. The use of a donning and doffing checklist is
the patient with COVID-19 is placed in a negative pres- useful in these emergent situations. All the OR personnel
sure room and must be provided a face mask. All per- present for induction should don the appropriate PPE.2,38
sonnel with direct contact with the patient must have If possible, every attempt to minimize personnel in the
PPE, which include gloves, gown, mask, and face shield OR is recommended.
during the first and second stages of labor. Visitation of The most experienced anesthesia provider should be
family members during labor and delivery is limited and, dedicated to the intubation of a patient with COVID-19.
in most cases, prohibited. Signage for airborne, contact, It might be necessary to have a colleague available for as-
and droplet precautions is adequately posted in specified sistance, whether inside the OR or immediately available
locations in the labor and delivery unit. outside the room.40 The preoxygenation process should
A dedicated PPE cart is placed outside the patient’s include an HMEF between the patient and the anesthesia
room for easy access to supplies for labor and delivery circuit. A rapid-sequence induction should be performed,
to avoid unnecessary traffic and reduce contamination avoiding positive pressure bag-mask ventilation. Video
of supplies and equipment. A coordinated and multi- laryngoscopy is recommended, but it is ultimately the
disciplinary approach to maternal and fetal monitoring provider’s decision on which method would take the least
ensures patient safety and reduces virus transmission. amount of time and would ensure the best possibility for
Early placement of an epidural block for laboring pa- first-pass success.
tients with active COVID-19 infection is recommended Extubation in the OR should be done with limited
to mitigate labor pain-induced respiratory sequela and personnel present. This process presents increased risk
reduce the likelihood of emergency cesarean delivery. of viral transmission to others. Placing a face mask on
Labor anesthesia supplies must be easily accessible the patient immediately following the extubation is pre-
and stationed near the labor room to minimize traffic. ferred. Adequate time must be spent in the OR before
Anesthesia professionals and personnel assisting during transport to ensure the patient is exchanging air without
placement of a labor epidural anesthetic must wear distress and has respiratory stability. Every effort of
necessary PPE for contact and droplet precaution. It is obtaining a PPE observer in the recovery area should
also essential that the patient wear a surgical mask to be made. The risk of transmission is highest during the
limit droplet spread. Vaginal delivery is recommended in doffing of PPE.41 After surgery, the AANA suggests dis-
stable patients because viral shedding during vaginal de- carding disposable items such as the breathing circuit,
livery and vertical transmission have not been reported. reservoir bag, gas sampling tubing, and mask.29 Cleaning
If cesarean delivery is necessary, surgery must be of internal parts of the machine is not necessary if appro-
performed in a designated negative pressure OR, and priate high-quality filters were used based on the design
regional anesthesia is highly recommended. Routine of the anesthesia machine.29,40 Furthermore, the AANA
assessment of platelet count must be conducted before endorses wiping all exposed areas after the procedure
neuraxial anesthetic placement. In a recent cohort study using the anesthesia machine manufacturer’s cleaning
of 1,099 patients, Guan and colleagues36 found that 36% and disinfecting recommendations.29
of the patients had thrombocytopenia. In another study, So far, no data suggest transplacental transmission
Lippi et al8 reported a decrease in platelet counts in pa- of SARS-CoV-2 since no virus has been detected in the
tients with severe COVID-19 symptoms. However, no amniotic fluid, cord blood, placenta, breast milk, and
neurologic sequelae were observed in studies with the nasal secretions of the neonate. However, there have
use of the neuraxial technique for cesarean delivery.37,38 been confirmed cases of neonatal infection.2,10,38,42-44
In an emergency cesarean delivery that requires Hence, newborns are separated from the infected

www.aana.com/aanajournalonline AANA Journal  August 2020  online content 51


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and gynaecological patients with COVID-19. Ital J Gynaecol Obstet. unapproved off-label use within the article.

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