Course Summary

Pregnant patients diagnosed with COVID19 can develop a mild, moderate and critical condition that requires specific therapeutic interventions and infection control measures. In the United States and globally, the incidence of COVID-19 and the death rates continue to rise. Several treatments and medications used to treat COVID-19 continue to be investigated in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Antiviral treatment options include remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, and lopinavir/ritonavir, which are all considered safe during pregnancy. Other potential therapies that are contraindicated in pregnancy due to teratogenic properties and that could result in fetal demise or carry the risk of fetal defects are discussed.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• I.     Introduction
• II.    Coronavirus Infections and Epidemiology
• III.   Transmission
  • 1.        Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
• IV.    Clinical Presentations of COVID-19 Infection
• V.     Treatment in Homecare
  • 1.        Asymptomatic Patients: Time-based and Test-based Strategies
  • 2.        Symptomatic Patients: Symptom-based and Test-based Strategies
• VI.   Treatment in Hospitalized Patients
  • 1.        Monitoring Pulmonary Status
• VII.   Thromboembolic Events
• VIII.  Pharmacological Therapy
  • 1.        Remdesivir
  • 2.        Convalescent Plasma
  • 3.        Tocilizumab
  • 4.        Hydroxychloroquine, Chloroquine, Azithromycin
• IX.    Pregnancy Complications
  • 1.        Labor and Delivery
  • 2.        Pregnant Healthcare Workers
  • 3.        Infection Control
• X.      Case Study: Pregnancy and COVID19 Treatment
• XI.     Summary

Authors

Noah H. Carpenter, MD

Dr. Noah Carpenter is a Thoracic and Peripheral Vascular Surgeon. He completed his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and medical school and training at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Carpenter completed surgical residency and fellowship at the University of Edmonton and Affiliated Hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, and an additional Adult Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He has specialized in microsurgical techniques, vascular endoscopy, laser and laparoscopic surgery in Brandon, Manitoba and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and in Colorado, Texas, and California. Dr. Carpenter has an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Calgary, and was appointed a Citizen Ambassador to China, and has served as a member of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, the Canadian College of Health Service Executives, the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories, Canada Science Council, and the International Society of Endovascular Surgeons, among others. He has been an inspiration to youth, motivating them to understand the importance of achieving higher education.