Monochorionic triplet pregnancy complicated by conjoined twins and early twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The condition of monozygotic, monochorionic triplet fetuses with a pair of conjoined twins is extremely rare (close to one in a million births), presents challenges in its management, and with poor prognosis. CASE REPORT: We report a case of monochorionic diamniotic triplet pregnancy, ultrasound at 14 weeks shows a pair of conjoined thoracopagus fetuses, sharing heart, liver, and umbilical cord, in addition to omphalocele. The third fetus, without malformations, presents signs of early heart failure compatible with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. It was decided to carry out expectant management where at 18 weeks, intrauterine death of the three fetuses occurs. An abortion is performed by hysterotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment in these cases is discussed, three management options have been proposed: expectant management, selective reduction of the conjoined fetuses, or termination of the pregnancy. A review of the literature found only 12 cases with this combination of pathologies, in which only 3 normal fetuses (25%) survived and none of the conjoined twins survived. To our knowledge, this case is the first of a monochorionic triplet pregnancy with conjoined fetuses complicated with early twin-to-twin transfusion.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with confirmed severe and mild COVID-19 at one large maternity hospital in Chile.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in 458 pregnant and puerperal women, with confirmed COVID-19 at Hospital San Jose, Santiago, Chile, to determine the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and confirm safety and feasibility of a management protocol based on clinical presentation of the disease. RESULTS: 25.5% (117/458) of women were severe and 74.4% (341/458) mild presentation. Three percent (9/341) of mild presentations required a subsequent hospitalization. Overall, 26/458 women (5.6%) were admitted to ICU, and 13/458 (2.8%) required mechanical ventilation. One maternal death occurred at 49-days postpartum. Severe presentation, infection above 24 weeks, and comorbidities were associated with an adverse maternal outcome. Of total deliveries, 16.5% (36/217) were <37 weeks. Perinatal mortality was 6/226 (2.7%), mostly due to the fetal component. CONCLUSIONS: A quarter of the women had severe COVID-19 that, combined with occurrence of disease in the second half of pregnancy, resulted in substantial maternal compromise. Perinatal morbidity and mortality in women with severe disease were high and warrant consideration. Outpatient management was safe for mild cases.

First trimester screening for preterm and term pre-eclampsia by maternal characteristics and biophysical markers in a low-risk population.

AIM: To develop a combined predictive model for preterm and term pre-eclampsia (PE) during the first trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: This investigation was a nested case-control study in singleton pregnancies at the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, University of Chile Hospital. A priori risks for preterm and term PE were calculated by multivariate logistic regression analyses. Biophysical markers were log10 -transformed and expressed as multiples of the median. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate a combined predictive model of preterm and term PE. Detection rates at different cut-off points were determined by a receiver operator curve analysis of a posteriori risks. RESULTS: First trimester mean arterial pressure and uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index were significantly higher in women who develop PE than in the unaffected group. The detection rate of preterm PE based on maternal characteristics and biophysical markers was 72% at a 10% false-positive rate, corresponding to a cut-off risk of 1 in 50. The detection rate for term PE was 30% at a 10% false-positive rate. CONCLUSION: Preterm PE can be predicted by a combination of maternal characteristics and biophysical markers. However, first trimester screening is less valuable for term PE.

Encuesta Nacional sobre la utilización de catéter venoso central en pacientes sometidos a neurocirugía electiva en Chile / Use of central venous catheter in patients undergoing elective neurosurgery in Chile: A national survey

OBJECTIVES: To know, through an online survey, the usual clinical practice of Chilean anesthesiologists regarding central venous catheterization in patients undergoing elective neurosurgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An email was sent with a link to a questionnaire to anesthesiologists belonging to the Society of Anesthesiology of Chile (SACH). The questionnaire consisted of an anonymous questionnaire, with multiple-choice questions that included data referring to experience as an anesthesiologist, experience in neuroanesthesia, indication of central venous access in elective neurosurgery, access of choice, technique used, and immediate and late complications. RESULTS: A valid response was received to the online survey by 180 anesthesiologists, which represents a response rate of 50%. Only 14.4% of the respondents were classified as specialists in neuroanesthesia. The majority acces corresponded to the Internal Jugular. The main indication was the use of vasoactive drugs in 92.18%. Regarding clinical scenarios, 95.4% of respondents used a central venous route in posterior fossa surgery, while only 9.41% used it in minimally invasive surgery. 69.3% of the respondents indicated that they had presented an immediate complication related to the procedure, with arterial puncture being the most frequent with 72.1%. Protocols for perioperative management only existed in 17.8% of cases. There are no significant differences in the usual clinical practice among specialists in neuroanesthesia and general anesthesiologists in most of the items analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: From the data obtained, we observed that there is no uniform criterion in the indication, access and control of the central venous catheter in the context of elective neurosurgery. The foregoing could be explained by the scarce protocolization of anesthetic management in these surgeries. It is of interest to verify that there are no differences in clinical practice among anesthesiologists specialized in this area and those unusual in neurosurgical procedures.

OBJETIVOS: Conocer por medio de una encuesta online la práctica clínica habitual de los anestesiólogos chilenos respecto a la cateterización venosa central en pacientes sometidos a neurocirugía de carácter electivo. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se envió un correo electrónico con un enlace a un cuestionario a anestesiólogos pertenecientes a la Sociedad de Anestesiología de Chile (SACH). La encuesta consistía en un cuestionario de carácter anónimo, con preguntas de selección múltiple que incluía datos referidos a la experiencia como anestesiólogo, experiencia en neuroanestesia, indicación de vía venosa central en neurocirugía electiva, acceso de elección, técnica utilizada y complicaciones inmediatas y tardías. RESULTADOS: Se recibió respuesta válida a la encuesta online por parte de 180 anestesiólogos, lo que representa una tasa de respuesta del 50%. Sólo el 14,4% de los encuestados son catalogados como especialistas en neuroanestesia. La vía de acceso de elección corresponde a la Yugular Interna con un 66,8% de las preferencias. La principal indicación señalada para su utilización fue el uso de drogas vasoactivas en un 92,18% de los casos. Respecto a escenarios clínicos el 95,4% de los encuestados utiliza una vía venosa central en cirugía de fosa posterior, mientras que sólo el 9,41% la utiliza en cirugía mínimanente invasiva. El 69,3% de los encuestados indica haber presentado alguna vez una complicación inmediata relacionada al procedimiento, siendo la punción arterial la más frecuente con un 72,1%. Protocolos para el manejo perioperatorio sólo existían en 17,8% de los casos. No existen diferencias significativas en la práctica clínica habitual entre los especialistas en neuroanestesia y anestesiólogos poco habituados en neuroanestesia en la mayoría de los ítems analizados. CONCLUSIONES: A partir de los datos obtenidos por esta encuesta online, observamos que no existe un criterio uniforme en la indicación, vía de acceso y control del catéter venoso central en el contexto de la neurocirugía electiva. Lo anterior, podría explicarse por la escasa protocolización del manejo anestésico en estas cirugías. Es de interés comprobar que no existen grandes diferencias en la práctica clínica entre los anestesiólogos especialistas en esta área y aquellos poco habituales en procedimientos neuroquirúrgicos.