B-type natriuretic peptide in low-risk pregnancy and pregnancy with congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a longitudinal assessment of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its association with cardiac function in low-risk pregnant women and in pregnant women with congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Longitudinal study in low-risk pregnancy and pregnancy in women with CHD seen at 10-14, 18-22, and 30-34 weeks of pregnancy for BNP quantification and exercise studies using impedance cardiography (ICG). RESULTS: Forty-three low-risk women with longitudinal samples (129 samples, 43 in each trimester) and 30 pregnant women with CHD with convenience samples (first trimester, five samples; second trimester, 20 samples; third trimester, 21 samples) were included. Women with CHD delivered earlier by 6 days (P = 0.002) and their newborns had lower birth weight independent of gestational age (birth weight centile 30.0 vs 55.0, P = 0.005). In low-risk women, BNP levels were lower in the third trimester (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in BNP concentrations across trimesters in the CHD group, no differences in BNP concentrations between the two groups, and no significant correlations between BNP concentration in each trimester with cardiac output, stroke volume, or heart rate (at rest/with exercise). CONCLUSION: This study assessed BNP longitudinally in the first, second and third trimesters in singleton low-risk pregnancy, and showed that BNP concentration decreased with advancing gestational age, with no participants with levels greater than 40.0 pg/mL in the third trimester. BNP concentrations were similar in women with and without congenital heart disease. We found no correlation between circulating levels of BNP and maternal hemodynamics at rest or with exercise measured by ICG to support its use as a marker of cardiac function.

Antenatal findings and early postnatal outcomes in pregnancies with trisomy 21: a 10 year retrospective review at a tertiary centre.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the antenatal imaging features, intrapartum findings and early postpartum course of pregnancies with trisomy 21 (T21) at a tertiary hospital in the United Kingdom. METHODS: Women with pregnancies diagnosed with T21 on antenatal or post-mortem/postnatal karyotyping, from February 2010-2020. Outcome measures included antenatal imaging findings, fetal growth restriction (FGR), birthweight, mode of delivery and early neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: 76 women were included. There were six intrauterine deaths and 70 livebirths. Thirty-eight (50%) had an antenatal diagnosis and twenty-five (33%) had a suspected diagnosis but declined further testing. The diagnosis was unanticipated in 13 (17%). Cardiac anomalies (35.5%) were the most common antenatal anomaly. Doppler abnormalities were apparent in 48/73 (68%). Eighteen (25.7%) had antenatal FGR. The majority were delivered by Caesarean section, and 21.4% of babies weighed

Mechanical heart valves and pregnancy: Issues surrounding anticoagulation. Experience from two obstetric cardiac centres.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women with mechanical heart valves are at significant risk of obstetric/cardiac complications. This study compares the anticoagulation management in two obstetric cardiac centres. METHODS: Retrospective case-note review from Chelsea and Westminster/Royal Brompton Hospitals (CR) and Erasmus Medical Centre (EMC). Main outcome measure was mechanical heart valve thrombosis. RESULTS: Nineteen pregnancies from CR and 25 pregnancies from EMC were included. Most women were on low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) throughout pregnancy at CR, whereas at EMC most had LMWH in the first trimester and vitamin K antagonists in subsequent trimesters. Peak anti-factor Xa were performed monthly at CR, levels 0.39-1.51 IU/mL (mean 0.82 IU/mL). Anticoagulation management peri-partum was inconsistent. Delivery was mainly by caesarean section at CR (74%) and vaginal delivery at EMC (64%). No maternal deaths and only one mechanical heart valve thrombosis at CR. Two mechanical heart valve thromboses and one maternal death at EMC. CONCLUSION: Peri-partum anticoagulation strategies, anticoagulation monitoring and mode of delivery inconsistencies reported.

Accuracy of fetal fibronectin for assessing preterm birth risk in asymptomatic pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Fetal fibronectin (fFN) is a validated test for assessing risk of preterm birth for women presenting with symptoms. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of fFN to detect the risk of preterm birth in asymptomatic women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Searches were conducted to identify studies where fFN was performed in asymptomatic women beyond 22 weeks' gestation. EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINHAL, AMED and BNI were searched between 2005 and 2017. Studies before 2005 were identified from a published systematic review. Women were grouped as singleton pregnancies, with and without risk factors for preterm birth, and multiple pregnancy. Quality assessment was performed using QUADAS-2. When possible, data were pooled using a hierarchical, bivariate random effects model. RESULTS: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria: six studies of singleton pregnancies in women without risk factors (1236 women), four in women with risk factors for preterm birth (2628 women) and five studies were of multiple pregnancy (1427 women). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of fFN in "no risk factors singletons" were 0.48 (95% CI 0.20-0.77), and 0.96 (95% CI 0.86-0.99), respectively. The likelihood ratio of a positive test result was 12 (95% CI 4.70-30.68). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of fFN in "risk factors singletons" were 0.34 (95% CI 0.24-0.43), and 0.91 (95% CI 0.88-0.93). The accuracy of fFN in multiple pregnancies was inconclusive. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest in asymptomatic singleton pregnancies without risk factors, a positive fFN result indicates a large shift from pre- to post-test probability, possibly identifying women at increased risk of preterm birth.

Evaluating the educational environment of an international animal model-based wet lab course for undergraduate students.

BACKGROUND: Essential Skills in the management of Surgical Cases - ESMSC is an International Combined Applied Surgical Science and Wet Lab course aimed at the undergraduate level. ESMSC combines interactive basic science workshops and case-based learning, with basic surgical training modules (BST) on Ex Vivo and In Vivo swine model. In Vivo Dissections include more advanced modules i.e. Abdominal Anatomy Dissections and Cardiac Transplant. AIM: To evaluate the educational environment of a novel course, as well as to compare Medical students' perceptions across various groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 83 Delegates from King's College London (KCL) and several Hellenic Medical Schools attended the ESMSC course. The DREEM inventory was distributed upon completion of the modules. RESULTS: The mean overall score for DREEM inventory was 148.05/200(99-196, SD = 17.90). Cronbach's Alpha value was 0.818, indicating good internal consistency of the data. Year 3/4 Students have a significantly positive "Perception of Learning", when compared to Year 5/6 (36.43 vs. 33.75, p = 0.017). KCL Students have a more positive view of the course compared to their Greek counterparts (155.19 vs. 145.62/200, p = 0.034). No statistical significant difference was noted when comparing male vs. female students (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Students seem to positively rate the ESMSC educational environment. Junior as well as KCL students appear to be more enthusiastic. Further research should focus on the optimal strategy for early involvement and motivation of various students' groups in BST.