Massive postpartum haemorrhage is a major worldwide cause of maternal mortality. Management requires intensive fluid resuscitation and blood transfusion. Although fluid therapy is often directed by the results of a full blood count and clotting screen, recent technological advances allow monitoring of haemodynamic function and cardiac output. Transoesophageal Doppler technology has been used during haemorrhagic shock in non-obstetric patients. We present the case of a caesarean delivery complicated by massive haemorrhage where transoesophageal Doppler monitoring with the CardioQ-ODM™ was used to guide fluid therapy and the use of vasoactive drugs.
Keywords: Cardiac output; CardioQ-ODM™; Obstetric haemorrhage; Transoesophageal Doppler velocimetry.
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