Placenta accreta spectrum conservative management and coagulopathy: case series and systematic review

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjectiveManagement of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) with the placenta kept in situ aims to preserve fertility and minimize blood loss. However, this method is itself associated with a risk of coagulopathy and subsequent bleeding. Our aim is to evaluate coagulopathy in cases of PAS managed conservatively and its pathophysiology.MethodsWe reviewed our database for cases of PAS where the placenta was kept in situ. In addition, we performed a systematic review of articles on PAS where the placenta was left in situ and was complicated by coagulopathy. PubMed was searched for publications between 1980 and 2023. Our eligibility criteria included studies where no additional interventions were performed other than keeping the placenta entirely in situ, and where coagulopathy was reported.ResultsAfter screening and full‐text article selection, 10 studies were included in the review. A review of our databases yielded a case series of PAS managed conservatively with placenta in situ. When adding our case series to the results of our systematic review, a total of 87 cases were found to be managed conservatively, with 28 cases of coagulopathy. Of these, 11 cases had known time at which coagulopathy developed. The median time of coagulopathy was 58 (IQR=17) days post‐delivery.ConclusionsOur findings highlight that conservative management with PAS in situ poses a risk of coagulopathy. Keeping the placenta in situ after delivery prolongs the risk factors that are integral to PAS. The pathophysiology behind coagulopathy is comparable to that of concealed placental abruption (CPA), due to the disrupted maternofetal interface and the collection of blood in the placenta. The presence of large placental lakes could thus be an indicator of developing coagulopathy.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.