Association between fibrinogen level and severity of postpartum haemorrhage: Secondary analysis of a prospective trial

Abstract

Background. The aim of the study was to determine whether the fibrinogen level at diagnosis of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is associated with the severity of bleeding. Methods. This is a secondary analysis of a population-based study in 106 French maternity units identifying cases of PPH prospectively. PPH was defined by a blood loss exceeding 500 ml during the 24 h after delivery or a peripartum haemoglobin decrease of more than 20 g litre -1. This analysis includes 738 women with PPH after vaginal delivery. Fibrinogen levels were compared in patients whose PPH worsened and became severe and those whose PPH remained non-severe. Severe PPH was defined as haemorrhage by occurrence of one of the following events: peripartum haemoglobin decrease <40 g litre-1, transfusion of concentrated red cells, arterial embolization or emergency surgery, admission to intensive care, or death. Results. The mean fibrinogen concentration at diagnosis was 4.2 g litre-1 [standard deviation (sd)=1.2 g litre-1] among the patients without worsening and 3.4 g litre-1 (sd=0.9 g litre -1) (P<0.001) in the group whose PPH became severe. The fibrinogen level was associated with PPH severity independently of other factors [adjusted odds ratio=1.90 (1.16-3.09) for fibrinogen between 2 and 3 g litre-1 and 11.99 (2.56=56.06) for fibrinogen <2 g litre-1]. Conclusions. The fibrinogen level at PPH diagnosis is a marker of the risk of aggravation and should serve as an alert to clinicians. © 2012 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia. All rights reserved.