Simplified gestational diabetes screening with a triaging fasting plasma glucose reduces the burden of oral glucose tolerance tests during pregnancy - A large tertiary comparative cohort study.

AIMS: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of a simplified screeningapproach for gestational diabetes (GDM) compared to conventional screening on OGTT rates, GDM prevalence, and perinatal outcomes. METHOD: A retrospective comparative cohort study included singleton births from 20 weeks' gestation. Pregnancies without diagnostic glucose results from 13 weeks' gestation or incomplete screenings were excluded. Simplified screening consisted of a triaging fasting plasma glucose (FPG), where only those with FPG levels between 4.7 and 5.0 mmol/L proceeded to the 2hr 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).The study period was divided into conventional screening (1st January 2019-30th June 2020) and simplified screening (1st January 2021-31st December 2021). RESULTS: Out of 15,138 pregnancies, 12,035 met the inclusion criteria: 7385 underwent conventional and 4650 underwent simplified screening. In the simplified group, 82.9 % avoided an OGTT. The simplified screening group also had a lower GDM prevalence compared to the conventional group ((18.7 % vs. 21.7 %, p < 0.001). Perinatal outcomes, including the rate of large-for-gestational-age infants, were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: The simplified GDM screening strategy for significantly reduced OGTTs by over 80% without impacting perinatal outcomes. It suggests that prospective studies are necessary to further evaluate this approach.

A Rare Case of Transient Second-Degree Mobitz Type II Heart Block Complicating a Saddle Pulmonary Embolism.

Presentations of pulmonary embolism (PE) are often associated with various cardiac arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities detected on electrocardiograms (EKG). We describe a 65-year-old female with no known history of heart disease or arrhythmias who presented with an acute onset of shortness of breath. Initial EKG showed right bundle branch block (RBBB), and first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block with subsequent development of second-degree Mobitz type II AV block. The patient's clinical appearance was highly suggestive of a massive pulmonary embolism with hemodynamic instability, and treatment with alteplase (tPA) was given, followed by heparinization. A CT pulmonary angiography confirmed the provisional diagnosis and revealed a large saddle embolus within the right and left main pulmonary arteries. Subsequent EKG showed resolution of the RBBB, first-degree AV block, and second-degree AV block. The patient improved clinically and was discharged to a subacute rehab facility with follow-up appointments. This case highlights that pulmonary embolism may present with many EKG changes, including RBBB, first-degree, second-degree, or complete heart block. Early recognition of PE and thrombolytic treatment can improve cardiac function and restore heart rhythms. Further evaluation for underlying conduction abnormalities can later be performed.