Progestogen only contraception in women with congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: There is little information of progestogen-only contraceptives in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) on the long-term. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of contraception in patients with CHD. We studied both short-acting reversible contraceptives (SARCs), oral progestin-only pills (POPs) and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs): intrauterine devices (IUD-IPs) and subdermal implants both impregnated with progestogens (SI-IPs). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of all women attending the preconception clinic. Contraceptive methods were classified in three TIERs of effectiveness before and after consultation. ESC classification regarding pregnancy risk, WHOMEC classification for combined oral contraceptive safety was collected. RESULTS: Six hundred and fifty-three patients. A significant proportion of them switched from TIER 3 to TIER 2 or 1 (p < .001) after consultation. One hundred and ninety-nine patients used POPs, 53 underwent IUD-IPs implantation and 36 SI-IPs, mean duration was 58 ± 8, 59 ± 8 and 53 ± 38 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Because of their safety and efficacy, IUD-IPs and SI-IPs should be considered as first-line contraception in patients with CHD.

We looked at the use of progestogen-only contraceptives in women with congenital heart disease (CHD) over a long period and determine how safe and effective these contraceptives are for such patients. We considered two types of contraceptives: short-acting ones like progestin-only pills (POPs) and long-acting ones like intrauterine devices and subdermal implants that release progestogens.We gathered information from 653 women and assessed how women's contraceptive choices changed before and after they had a consultation with us.After consulting with our clinic, a significant number of women switched from less effective contraceptives to more effective ones. Among the women who used POPs, most of them followed the prescribed regimen quite well. Additionally, 89 women used long-acting contraceptives, without failure of method.In conclusion, our findings suggest that long-acting progestogen-only contraceptives are safe and effective choices for contraception in women with CHD. Therefore, these options should be considered as the first choice.

Angiogenic Factors and Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk in Women That Developed Preeclampsia During Pregnancy.

Preeclampsia is caused by placental impairment with increased expression of sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1) and decreased PlGF (placental growth factor); it has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality later in life, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether sFlt-1 and PlGF levels during preeclampsia are associated to long-term cardiovascular risk. We prospectively recruited 43 women with previous preeclampsia and 21 controls with uncomplicated pregnancies. Cardiovascular risk assessment ≈12 years later included maternal hemodynamic, cardiac function and structure, biomarker analysis, and carotid-intima thickness evaluation. Women with previous preeclampsia had higher prevalence of hypertensive disorders and dyslipidemia than controls. In addition, they had worse global longitudinal strain, thicker left ventricular septal and posterior walls, more myocardial mass and increased carotid intima-media thickness compared with controls. PlGF during pregnancy correlated positively with high-density lipoprotein (r=0.341; P=0.006), and negatively with global longitudinal strain (r=-0.581; P<0.001), carotid intima-media thickness (r=-0.251; P=0.045), and mean arterial blood pressure (r=-0.252; P=0.045), when adjusted by study group. sFlt correlated negatively with high-density lipoprotein (r=-0.372; P=0.002) and apolipoprotein A-1 (r=-0.257; P=0.040), and positively with carotid intima-media thickness (r=0.269; P=0.032) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (r=0.368; P=0.003). The antiangiogenic state present in preeclampsia is related to greater prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors ≈12 years after delivery. The knowledge of altered angiogenic factors may help detect women with a higher risk for premature cardiovascular disease, who will require earlier follow-up after delivery.

Complications and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy: where and what is the evidence?

OBJECTIVES: To add to the growing evidence on SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, so as to better inform clinical decision making and optimize patient outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search of relevant databases was perfomed on 25 March 2020 and a repeat search, on 10 April 2020. Reports of pregnant patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection at any time during their pregnancy were reviewed and summarized . RESULTS: We summarized the outcomes of a total of 155 pregnant women and 118 neonates. The evidence suggests a similar rate of severe COVID-19 cases in pregnant women and the general population. The frequency of cesarean deliveries is high, against guidelines recommendations. CONCLUSION: Limited data on COVID-19 during preganacy, associated with a wide variation in the methodology make accurate data interpretation difficult.

Influence of farewell rituals and psychological vulnerability on grief following perinatal loss in monochorionic twin pregnancy.

AIM: The aim of this study is to analyze whether the absence of farewell rituals and previous psychological vulnerability are associated with the intensity of grief following perinatal loss in monochorionic twin pregnancy. METHOD: The sample comprised 28 women who experienced perinatal loss following fetal surgery. Sociodemographic and clinical data and information about farewell rituals were collected through interview. The women also completed a questionnaire about perinatal grief. RESULTS: A history of psychological and/or psychopharmacological treatment was associated with more intense grief following perinatal loss. CONCLUSION: Women with a history of psychological difficulties are particularly vulnerable to a complicated grief reaction after experiencing perinatal loss. However, the intensity of grief did not differ significantly according to whether or not the women performed some kind of farewell ritual. Further studies are needed to investigate these relationships and to encourage and facilitate the development of specific interventions for this population.

The uterocervical angle and its relationship with preterm birth.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to determine whether the uterocervical angle (UCA) correlates with the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) < 34 weeks and assess its interobserver variability. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study of 275 women including 34 who started labor spontaneously and gave birth before 34 weeks of gestation (preterm group) and 241 who gave birth at term (control group). Images used to report cervical length were re-measured for UCA. RESULTS: Mean UCA in the second trimester was wider in the preterm group (105.16°) compared with the control group (94.53°), p = .015. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.821 (95% CI: 0.74-0.97) for masked interobserver variability, which implies correct agreement among UCA measurements. Mean UCA increased from the first to the second trimester (84.2° versus 94.5°; p = .019). CONCLUSIONS: Wider UCA in the second trimester is related to sPTB. UCA measurement is a reproducible technique. UCA appears to increase from the first to the second trimester. Prospective studies, with ultrasound examinations aimed at measuring UCA in vivo, are needed to accurately assess the characteristics of this marker and its potential as a predictor of sPTB in clinical practice.

Tumor cardiaco fetal. Reporte de un caso / Fetal cardiac tumor. Report of a case

Resumen: ANTECEDENTES: Los tumores cardiacos fetales son excepcionales y se asocian con complicaciones que ponen en riesgo la vida del feto. Se diagnostican a partir del segundo trimestre y pueden provocar hidrops fetal no inmunitario, arritmias, compresión de los conductos de salida y muerte súbita. Es importante el seguimiento durante la gestación para detectar posibles complicaciones y establecer un plan de nacimiento. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 35 años, multigesta, enviada a la unidad materno-fetal para valoración por embarazo de 24.2 semanas y feto con tumor cardiaco único, localizado en el ápex, de gran tamaño. No se identificó afectación de la función cardiaca, por lo que solo ameritó vigilancia prenatal. Al nacimiento, el recién nacido recibió tratamiento con everolimus, con reacción satisfactoria. CONCLUSION: El tratamiento y seguimiento de fetos con tumor cardiaco es de suma importancia para detectar complicaciones prenatales y establecer el plan de nacimiento en la unidad de tercer nivel de atención médica.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fetal cardiac tumors are rare, with a very low incidence, however; when they do occur, they are associated with life-threatening complications of the fetus. They are diagnosed from the second trimester and can cause non-immune fetal hydrops, arrhythmias, compression of outflow tracts, and sudden fetal death. Follow-up during pregnancy is important to detect possible complications and establish a birth plan. CLINICAL CASE: A 35-year-old multigest patient, sent to the fetal maternal unit by his treating physician for evaluation for 24.2-week pregnancy and fetus with a single cardiac tumor, located on the apex, of large size; and without compromise in cardiac function, so only prenatal surveillance was warranted. At birth, the newborn received everolimus treatment, with a good response. CONCLUSION: The case of a patient with a single pregnancy and fetus with a prenatal diagnosis of a large cardiac tumor is presented with a family history of hemangiomas. In this case, a follow-up approach to detect prenatal complications and establish a birth plan in a third level of medical care is critical for a good practice.

Amniocentesis and the risk of second trimester fetal loss in twin pregnancies: results from a prospective observational study.

AIM: To compare the rate of pregnancy loss between twin pregnancies undergoing a genetic amniocentesis (AC) and a control group with similar characteristics. METHODS: Prospective observational study on a population of twin pregnancies referred to our prenatal diagnosis unit for screening from 1990 to 2010. Those women referred for an AC were compared with those without indication for the procedure. Primary outcomes were pregnancy loss within the 4 weeks after procedure and pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. Secondary outcome included neonatal morbidity, gestational age at delivery and birth weight. results: Maternal characteristics were similar for both groups, except for maternal age. There was neither difference in the pregnancy loss rate within 4 weeks (2.7 versus 2.6%) nor in the loss rate before 24 weeks of gestation (1.2 versus 1.1%). Gestational age at birth was 36 weeks for both groups. Chorionicity and gestational age at procedure played no role in modifying the risk. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, there is no difference in the pregnancy loss rate in twin gestations, regardless of chorionicity or gestational age at procedure, either within 4 weeks after the procedure or before 24 weeks, in patients who undergo AC when compared with patients who do not.

Paciente puérpera diagnosticada de neurocisticercosis. A propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Puerperal patient diagnosed with neurocysticercosis. About a case and review of the literature

La neurocisticercosis es una enfermedad infecciosa parasitaria rara en nuestro medio producida por la Taenia solium. En los últimos años, la incidencia de la neurocisticercosis ha sufrido un repunte por el aumento de inmigrantes procedentes de países endémicos. Los cisticercos presentan una especial predisposición para afectar al sistema nervioso central con la formación de nódulos quísticos que provocan inflamación de las zonas adyacentes pudiendo producir crisis comiciales. Presentamos el caso de una paciente puérpera de 3 días con un episodio de crisis comicial acompañada de fiebre. Se diagnostica por resonancia magnética nuclear cerebral de neurocisticercosis (AU)

Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic infectious disease rare in our Midst produced by Taenia solium. In recent years, the incidence of neurocysticercosis has been rebounded by an increase in immigrants from endemic countries. The cysticerci have a special predisposition to affect the central nervous system with the formation of cystic nodules that causes inflammation of the adjacent areas, these could produce comitial crises. We present the case of a puerperal patient of 3 days of evolution who presented an episode of comitial crisis accompanied by fever who was diagnosed by cerebral magnetic resonance imaging of neurocysticercosis (AU)