A non-inflatable anti-shock garment for obstetric hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES: Maternal death from hemorrhage in low resource settings is frequently due to long delays in transportation to referral centers and/or in obtaining blood and surgical interventions. This case series was designed to demonstrate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of the non-inflatable anti-shock garment (NI-ASG) for resuscitation and hemostasis in the initial management of obstetric hemorrhage and shock.

METHODS: Fourteen cases of obstetric hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock at Memorial Christian Hospital, Sialkot, Pakistan were managed with a specific clinical protocol based on using NI-ASG as the primary intervention.

RESULTS: The NI-ASG was used to resuscitate and stabilize women with hypovolemic shock from 18 to 57 h. Thirteen patients survived without evidence of morbidity, but one had prolonged shock followed by multiple organ failure and death.

CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the NI-ASG quickly restored the vital signs of most women in severe hemorrhagic shock and stabilized them while awaiting blood transfusion.