RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence, clinical features and perinatal outcome of late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) associated with genetic syndrome or aneuploidy, structural malformation or congenital infection. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study of patients who attended one of four tertiary maternity hospitals in Italy. We included consecutive singleton pregnancies between 32 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks' gestation with either fetal abdominal circumference (AC) or estimated fetal weight < 10th percentile for gestational age or a reduction in AC of > 50 percentiles from the measurement at an ultrasound scan performed between 18 and 32 weeks. The study group consisted of pregnancies with late-onset FGR and a genetic syndrome or aneuploidy, structural malformation or congenital infection (anomalous late-onset FGR). The presence of congenital anomalies was ascertained postnatally in neonates with abnormal findings on antenatal investigation or detected after birth. The control group consisted of pregnancies with structurally and genetically normal fetuses with late-onset FGR. Composite adverse perinatal outcome was defined as the presence of at least one of stillbirth, 5-min Apgar score < 7, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), need for respiratory support at birth, neonatal jaundice and neonatal hypoglycemia. The primary aims of the study were to assess the incidence and clinical features of anomalous late-onset FGR, and to compare the perinatal outcome of such cases with that of fetuses with non-anomalous late-onset FGR. RESULTS: Overall, 1246 pregnancies complicated by late-onset FGR were included in the study, of which 120 (9.6%) were allocated to the anomalous late-onset FGR group. Of these, 11 (9.2%) had a genetic syndrome or aneuploidy, 105 (87.5%) had an isolated structural malformation, and four (3.3%) had a congenital infection. The most frequent structural defects associated with late-onset anomalous FGR were genitourinary malformations (28/105 (26.7%)) and limb malformation (21/105 (20.0%)). Compared with the non-anomalous late-onset FGR group, fetuses with anomalous late-onset FGR had an increased incidence of composite adverse perinatal outcome (35.9% vs 58.3%; P < 0.01). Newborns with anomalous, compared to those with non-anomalous, late-onset FGR showed a higher frequency of need for respiratory support at birth (25.8% vs 9.0%; P < 0.01), intubation (10.0% vs 1.1%; P < 0.01), NICU admission (43.3% vs 22.6%; P < 0.01) and longer hospital stay (median, 24 days (range, 4-250 days) vs 11 days (range, 2-59 days); P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Most pregnancies complicated by anomalous late-onset FGR have structural malformations rather than genetic abnormality or infection. Fetuses with anomalous late-onset FGR have an increased incidence of complications at birth and NICU admission and a longer hospital stay compared with fetuses with isolated late-onset FGR. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Asunto(s)
Recién Nacido Pequeño para la Edad Gestacional , Ultrasonografía Prenatal , Femenino , Embarazo , Recién Nacido , Humanos , Lactante , Estudios de Cohortes , Incidencia , Retardo del Crecimiento Fetal , Edad Gestacional , Feto , AneuploidiaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between Doppler and biometric ultrasound parameters measured at diagnosis and perinatal adverse outcome in a cohort of late-onset growth-restricted (FGR) fetuses. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective study of data obtained between 2014 and 2019 including non-anomalous singleton pregnancies complicated by late-onset FGR (≥ 32 weeks), which was defined either as abdominal circumference (AC) or estimated fetal weight (EFW) < 10th percentile for gestational age or as reduction of the longitudinal growth of AC by over 50 percentiles compared to ultrasound scan performed between 18 and 32 weeks of gestation. We evaluated the association between sonographic findings at diagnosis of FGR and composite adverse perinatal outcome (CAPO), defined as stillbirth or at least two of the following: obstetric intervention due to intrapartum fetal distress, neonatal acidemia, birth weight < 3rd percentile and transfer to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). RESULTS: Overall, 468 cases with complete biometric and umbilical, fetal middle cerebral and uterine artery (UtA) Doppler data were included, of which 53 (11.3%) had CAPO. On logistic regression analysis, only EFW percentile was associated independently with CAPO (P = 0.01) and NICU admission (P < 0.01), while the mean UtA pulsatility index (PI) multiples of the median (MoM) > 95th percentile at diagnosis was associated independently with obstetric intervention due to intrapartum fetal distress (P = 0.01). The model including baseline pregnancy characteristics and the EFW percentile was associated with an area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve of 0.889 (95% CI, 0.813-0.966) for CAPO (P < 0.001). A cut-off value for EFW corresponding to the 3.95th percentile was found to discriminate between cases with and those without CAPO, yielding a sensitivity of 58.5% (95% CI, 44.1-71.9%), specificity of 69.6% (95% CI, 65.0-74.0%), positive predictive value of 19.8% (95% CI, 13.8-26.8%) and negative predictive value of 92.9% (95% CI, 89.5-95.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Retrospective data from a large cohort of late-onset FGR fetuses showed that EFW at diagnosis is the only sonographic parameter associated independently with the occurrence of CAPO, while mean UtA-PI MoM > 95th percentile at diagnosis is associated independently with intrapartum distress leading to obstetric intervention. © 2021 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Asunto(s)
Sufrimiento Fetal , Retardo del Crecimiento Fetal , Preescolar , Femenino , Retardo del Crecimiento Fetal/diagnóstico por imagen , Peso Fetal , Edad Gestacional , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Recién Nacido Pequeño para la Edad Gestacional , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Embarazo , Tercer Trimestre del Embarazo , Estudios Retrospectivos , Ultrasonografía Prenatal , Arterias Umbilicales/diagnóstico por imagenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of glycemic control in development of preeclampsia (PE) in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: An observational case-control study comparing 244 women with type 1 diabetes and 488 controls was conducted. Among women with T1DM HbA1c, average daily glucose values, fasting, preprandial, 1-hour and 2-hour postprandial glucose levels, and daily 3 meals postprandial glucose areas were evaluated. Uterine artery pulsatility indices (PI) at 16, 20, 24 weeks' gestation were obtained. Data analysis included rates of PE in both groups, and association between glycemic control, uterine artery PI and development of PE among women with T1DM. RESULTS: PE developed in 13.1% of diabetic women and in 3.5% of women in the control group (odds ratio 4.2; 95% CI 2.2-8.1). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, HbA1c in the 1st trimester, mean daily glucose level in the 1st and 2nd trimester, daily 3 meal postprandial glucose area in the 1st and 2nd trimester, and the uterine arteries PI at 24 weeks' gestation were found to be associated with development of PE. The uterine arteries PI showed a significant positive correlation with the 3 meal postprandial glucose area at 16, 20, 24 weeks. CONCLUSION: In women with T1DM, poor glycemic control early in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of subsequent PE. An association between poor placentation, as indicated by the increased PI of uterine arteries, and a maternal metabolic factor, that is the 3 meal post-prandial glucose area, has been shown, supporting the increased rate of PE among women with T1DM.
Asunto(s)
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1 , Control Glucémico , Preeclampsia/prevención & control , Arteria Uterina/fisiopatología , Adolescente , Adulto , Velocidad del Flujo Sanguíneo , Femenino , Hemoglobina Glucada , Humanos , Preeclampsia/sangre , Embarazo , Segundo Trimestre del Embarazo , Flujo Pulsátil , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
In recent years, a growing interest has arisen regarding the possible relationship between adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and inadequate maternal hemodynamic adaptations to the pregnancy. A possible association between "placental syndromes," such as preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR), and subsequent maternal cardiovascular diseases (CVD) later in life has been reported. The two subtypes of FGR show different pathogenetic and clinical features. Defective placentation, due to a poor trophoblastic invasion of the maternal spiral arteries, is believed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of early-onset PE and FGR. Since placental functioning is dependent on the maternal cardiovascular system, a pre-existent or subsequent cardiovascular impairment may play a key role in the pathogenesis of early-onset FGR. Late FGR does not seem to be determined by a primary abnormal placentation in the first trimester. The pathological pathway of late-onset FGR may be due to a primary maternal cardiovascular maladaptation: CV system shows a flat profile and remains similar to those of non-pregnant women. Since the second trimester, when the placenta is already developed and increases its functional request, a hypovolemic state could lead to placental hypoperfusion and to an altered maturation of the placental villous tree and therefore to an altered fetal growth. Thus, this review focalizes on the possible relationship between maternal cardiac function and placentation in the development of both early and late-onset FGR. A better understanding of maternal hemodynamics in pregnancies complicated by FGR could bring various benefits in clinical practice, improving screening and therapeutic tools.
Asunto(s)
Retardo del Crecimiento Fetal/etiología , Hemodinámica , Modelos Cardiovasculares , Placenta/irrigación sanguínea , Circulación Placentaria , Placentación , Adaptación Fisiológica , Animales , Femenino , Retardo del Crecimiento Fetal/fisiopatología , Humanos , Intercambio Materno-Fetal , Embarazo , Medición de Riesgo , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: A novel type of Coronavirus was identified in China in December 2019. The first cases of a form of pneumonia of unknown etiology were detected at the beginning of that month in Wuhan. The virus is believed to have emerged at the Wuhan Huanan Seafood Market, where transmission of a zoonotic pathogen to humans occurred. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Some studies conducted in China during the epidemic report small numbers of pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and some pregnancy complications in patients with COVID-19. However, they fail to document the transplacental passage of the virus from mother to fetus. RESULTS: Following the COVID-19 outbreak, guidelines for couples who are undergoing treatments of assisted reproduction have been issued by the International Federation for Fertility Societies (IFFS), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the Latin American Network of Assisted Reproduction (REDLARA). They recommend couples to discuss assisted reproduction with their doctors while those at risk or with SARS-CoV-2 should consider freezing oocytes or embryos and retransferring them later. CONCLUSIONS: Other than the US, Italy is the country with the highest number of cases (197675 positives, 26644 deaths) (updated on April 26). The Italian National Transplant Centre and the Higher Institute of Health advised on March 17 to complete the cycles already started and not to start new cycles. Phase 2 will begin on 4 May with an increase in freedom of action and fertilization treatments will start again. The Society that brings together embryologists (SIERR) has issued the guidelines to be followed when this happens.
Asunto(s)
Betacoronavirus/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por Coronavirus/prevención & control , Pandemias/prevención & control , Neumonía Viral/prevención & control , Técnicas Reproductivas Asistidas , COVID-19 , China/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/virología , Brotes de Enfermedades/prevención & control , Femenino , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/virología , Embarazo , SARS-CoV-2RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To counteract the arising problem of couple infertility, having good quality gametes is increasingly important. A molecule that seems to be useful to favor this condition is myo-inositol (MI), the most common stereoisomer of the inositol family, involved as second messenger in several cell pathways (osmoregulation, chromatin remodeling, gene expression, etc.). To evaluate this possibility, a treatment with myo-inositol in idiopathic infertile couples was performed in this randomized, placebo-controlled study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 86 couples were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups, treated either with MI (Xyminal®, Lo.Li. Pharma Srl, Rome, Italy) or placebo suppositories, to evaluate the effects on sperm motility, cervical mucus quality and pregnancy rate. Moreover, in pregnancy cases, all routine controls on gestation progress and foetal health were performed to confirm the safety of this treatment. RESULTS: As showed in this study, MI treatment allows an increase of total sperm motility (54.42 ± 8.72) in comparison to placebo group (46.21 ± 5.33). Moreover, MI mildly improves cervical mucus quality and increases the number of pregnancies (18.60%) in comparison to the placebo group (6.97%). CONCLUSIONS: MI improves sperm motility and cervical mucus quality, increasing the probability of conception. The absence of adverse events both for the mother and the foetus confirmed the safety of this molecule in pregnancy, supporting even more its use for couples seeking pregnancy.
Asunto(s)
Desarrollo Fetal/efectos de los fármacos , Infertilidad/tratamiento farmacológico , Inositol/farmacología , Motilidad Espermática/efectos de los fármacos , Espermatozoides/efectos de los fármacos , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Italia , Masculino , Embarazo , Índice de EmbarazoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy of a treatment with myoinositol plus L-tyrosine, selenium, and chromium in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty-six women, with diagnosis of PCOS, were divided in four groups according to their clinical features. Phenotype A: androgen excess + ovulatory dysfunction + polycystic ovarian morphology. Phenotype B: androgen excess + ovulatory dysfunction. Phenotype C: androgen excess + polycystic ovarian morphology. Phenotype D: ovulatory dysfunction + polycystic ovarian morphology. All patients were given daily for six months a compound with 2 g myo-inositol, 0.5 mg L-Tyrosine, 0.2 mg folic acid, 55 mcg selenium, 40 mcg chromium. Hormonal assessment, BMI, Ferriman-Gallway Gallway score, HOMA index, and follicular monitoring were reported before starting the therapy, three months and six months after. RESULTS: Phenotype A showed an improvement, consistent with restored ovulation: more regular length of the menstrual cycle, detection of periovulatory follicle at ultrasound, and rising of progesterone in the luteal phase. A total of 45 patients (65.2%) ovulated after six months. In the same period glucose and HOMA index decreased. In the phenotype B, 80% of patients ovulated after six months. An improvement of the clinical and biochemical sign of hyperandrogenism was also reported. In the phenotype C, after BMI had followed the treatment for six months, it decreased in a statistically significant manner. In the phenotype D, 49 out of 82 women (59.7%) restored their regular menstrual period and ovulated. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reported how the synergistic action of myoinositol, L-tyrosine, selenium, and chromium could restore normal menstrual cycle, ovulation, and decrease weight in these patients.
Asunto(s)
Cromo/farmacología , Inositol/farmacología , Síndrome del Ovario Poliquístico/tratamiento farmacológico , Selenio/farmacología , Tirosina/farmacología , Peso Corporal/efectos de los fármacos , Cromo/administración & dosificación , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Femenino , Humanos , Inositol/administración & dosificación , Síndrome del Ovario Poliquístico/diagnóstico , Estudios Prospectivos , Selenio/administración & dosificación , Tirosina/administración & dosificaciónRESUMEN
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulation factor plays different crucial roles during embryo implantation and subsequent development. Here we aimed to evaluate the effects of embryo cell culture medium, with the inclusion of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulation factor (GM-CSF), on embryo development and pregnancy rate. To this end, we took advantage of our retrospective observational study to correlate the outcomes from two different culture media. We included in this study 25 unselected patient from our IVF Center that underwent heterologous IVF cycle with crypreserved oocytes. We analyze the fertilization rate, pregnancy rate, and embryo quality at different day of transfer obtained from two different media composition. Our results show that the rate of fertilization and the pregnancy rate were increased using medium added with this particular type of cytokines (GM-CSF).
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of recombinant LH (r-LH) addition in the late phase of ovarian stimulation in patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 66 infertile couples undergoing ICSI treatment due to male factor were allocated to group A (33) and to group B (33). Group A (29 subjects) received recombinant FSH (r-FSH) supplemented by r-LH in the late follicular phase starting the same day of GnRH-antagonist (GnRH-ant) administration, and group B (32 subjects) received r-FSH alone. All patients were stimulated with a GnRH-ant flexible protocol starting r-FSH on day 2 of a spontaneous or induced cycle. hCG (10000 IU) was administered by intramuscular route when at least 2 follicles reached 18 mm in diameter. RESULTS: Metaphase II (MII) oocytes with cytoplasmic maturation showed a significant difference in the r-LH group (89.02%) compared to the one with FSH alone (81.15%) (p < 0.01). The number of positive pregnancy test, 14 (48.3%) and 8 (25%), was significantly greater in the r-LH group compared to the group treated with r-FSH alone (p < 0.03). The number of gestational sacs was 20 in the r-LH group vs. 9 in the r-FSH group (p < 0.001). The implantation rate was significantly higher in the r-LH group compared to the r-FSH only group (19% vs. 7% respectively; p < 0.01). Also, a lower abortion rate was found in the r-LH group (21% vs. 37.5% respectively - p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian stimulation should be personalized because it seems that some subgroups of patients, like those with RIF, reach a better clinical outcome with the addition of r-LH in the advanced follicular phase stimulation.
Asunto(s)
Hormona Luteinizante/administración & dosificación , Oocitos/crecimiento & desarrollo , Inducción de la Ovulación , Adulto , Implantación del Embrión , Femenino , Hormona Folículo Estimulante/administración & dosificación , Hormona Folículo Estimulante/genética , Hormona Folículo Estimulante/metabolismo , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/administración & dosificación , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/farmacología , Antagonistas de Hormonas/administración & dosificación , Antagonistas de Hormonas/farmacología , Humanos , Infertilidad Femenina/patología , Hormona Luteinizante/genética , Hormona Luteinizante/metabolismo , Metafase , Proyectos Piloto , Embarazo , Proteínas Recombinantes/administración & dosificación , Proteínas Recombinantes/biosíntesis , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of pre-treatment of idiopathic oligozoospermic patients with r-hFSH to improve the clinical results of ICSI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 82 infertile couples due to male factor who attended our center were included in the study. Thirty-six were randomized to the treatment group (group A) and forty-six to the control group (group B). The male partners in group A were treated with recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH; Gonal F®) 150 IU subcutaneously three times a week for a 3-months period. The control group (group B) did not receive any treatment. After the treatment couples of both groups underwent a cycle of ICSI. RESULTS: The fertilization rate was comparable in both groups. However, in the treatment group (group A), the clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher (42%) compared to the control group (group B) (20%) (p < 0.02). Also, the implantation rate was significantly higher in treatment group (26%) compared to the control (15%) (p < 0.04). Miscarriage rate was lower (15.7%) in the treatment group than in the control (43.7%), and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of idiopathic male factor infertility with r-hFSH before ICSI improves clinical pregnancy rate, increases implantation rate and decreases the early pregnancy loss.
Asunto(s)
Hormona Folículo Estimulante Humana/uso terapéutico , Infertilidad Masculina/diagnóstico , Infertilidad Masculina/tratamiento farmacológico , Índice de Embarazo/tendencias , Inyecciones de Esperma Intracitoplasmáticas/métodos , Adulto , Implantación del Embrión/efectos de los fármacos , Implantación del Embrión/fisiología , Femenino , Fertilización In Vitro/métodos , Hormona Folículo Estimulante Humana/farmacología , Humanos , Masculino , Inducción de la Ovulación/métodos , Embarazo , Proteínas Recombinantes/farmacología , Proteínas Recombinantes/uso terapéutico , Recuento de Espermatozoides/métodos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Recently, an increased scientific interest was focused on mild approaches for ovarian stimulation in clinical practice. Milder stimulation aims to develop safer and more patient-friendly protocols which are more physiological, less drug use, less expensive and the risks of treatment are highly minimized. AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of a mild ovarian stimulation protocol in patients at high risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), compared to conventional long down-regulation protocol. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This a prospective, open, randomized study, included 349 infertile patients considered at high risk of developing OHSS, undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment in two private assisted reproduction centers. The patients were randomized into two groups: group A (n = 148) had a mild/minimal stimulation protocol of recombinant FSH (rFSH) combined with GnRH antagonist. Group B (n = 201) (control group) had a standard long protocol of rFSH combined with GnRH agonist. RESULTS: There was no significant difference observed between the two groups regarding the mean number of oocytes retrieved per patient, mature metaphase II oocytes, fertilization rate, and embryo cleavage rate. Significantly higher implantation rate (21.5 vs 14.5 %) (p < 0.05), pregnancy rate (37.7 vs 23.4 %) (p < 0.05), and delivery rate (32.8 vs 20.1 %) (p < 0.05) were observed in favor of groups A compared to group B. Lower proportion of patients (4.7 %), though not statistically significant, has developed OHSS in group A compared to group B (8.4 %). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that mild stimulation regimen is highly effective for ovarian stimulation of patients who have experienced OHSS complication without increasing the risk of OHSS.
Asunto(s)
Hormona Folículo Estimulante Humana/uso terapéutico , Hormona Folículo Estimulante/uso terapéutico , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/análogos & derivados , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/uso terapéutico , Síndrome de Hiperestimulación Ovárica/prevención & control , Inducción de la Ovulación/métodos , Adulto , Femenino , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/agonistas , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/antagonistas & inhibidores , Humanos , Embarazo , Estudios Prospectivos , Proteínas Recombinantes/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recognizing stroke symptoms and acting quickly can reduce death and disability, but public awareness of stroke risk factors, symptoms and what to do about them is still limited. Stroke educational campaigns are used worldwide but there are few published evaluations of such campaigns. METHODS: The literature from 1999 to 2012 on the effectiveness of stroke educational campaigns was reviewed and summarized with narrative synthesis. Web-based campaigns were also described. Three databases and one search engine were explored with two keywords (stroke campaign and stroke promotion). The reference lists of all included articles were also examined. RESULTS: Twenty-two intervention studies and five web-based campaigns were included in the review. Most interventions proved partially effective, in terms of gender preference (women) or type of information retained or media preferred. Only one intervention proved ineffective. Mass media campaigns can be effective but require sustained funding, and their ability to target high-risk subgroups, whether aging, linguistic or socioeconomic, is unclear. Three community-based participatory stroke promotion interventions proved partially effective, but the small sample sizes might have underpowered the results. Web-based campaigns are efficient in reaching a large number of people but tend to attract a selected and self-selected population. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke educational campaigns have the potential to improve knowledge and awareness and change the behavior of a large number of people. Health promoters and investigators must adopt flexibility and participatory mentality to develop cost-effective interventions. Both community-based campaigns and E-tools should be integrated within a comprehensive multifaceted stroke promotion strategy to expand their reach.
Asunto(s)
Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Promoción de la Salud , Educación del Paciente como Asunto , Accidente Cerebrovascular/prevención & control , Promoción de la Salud/métodos , Promoción de la Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Educación del Paciente como Asunto/métodos , Educación del Paciente como Asunto/estadística & datos numéricos , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
Current Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COH) for Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) pursues three main objectives: hypophyseal activity suppression, multiple follicle growth stimulation, and ovulation induction. By suppressing hypophyseal activity, it is possible to prevent untimely LH surge and allow the appropriate development of the leading follicle. The classical GnRH agonist long protocol is the most widely used in COH for ART. However, an alternative regimen based on GnRH antagonist has been recently introduced in clinical practice. As competitive antagonists, these drugs display an immediate and quickly reversible effect and they avoid hormonal withdrawal side effects. Moreover, this protocol shows undeniable advantages, including the shorter duration of the treatment, the lower amount of gonadotropin required, the shorter hormonal and ultrasound monitoring of patients, milder physical and emotional stress, and a lower risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). The use of GnRH antagonists was traditionally restricted to selected patients, as "poor responders" and women at high-risk of developing OHSS such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and patients who had previously experienced OHSS. These findings could prompt a trend to change from the standard agonist protocol to the antagonist protocol in all categories of patients. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the use of GnRH antagonist protocols applied both to IVF techniques and to IUI procedures in the Italian experience.
Asunto(s)
Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/antagonistas & inhibidores , Técnicas Reproductivas Asistidas , Femenino , Fertilización In Vitro , Humanos , Italia , Síndrome de Hiperestimulación Ovárica/prevención & control , Síndrome del Ovario Poliquístico/tratamiento farmacológico , Inyecciones de Esperma IntracitoplasmáticasRESUMEN
The aim of this prospective observational study is to determine the different outcomes of IVF/ICSI treatments after using antagonists or agonists of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in normal responder patients. Two hundred forty-seven patients undergoing IVF treatment at the Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Rome (CERMER), from January 2005 to December 2008, were included in the study. Patients were stimulated either with a standard long protocol with GnRH agonists (n = 156) or with GnRH antagonists (n = 91). The use of GnRH antagonists resulted in a significant reduction in the duration of the stimulation (Agonist Group 14.10 ± 2.25 vs Antagonist Group 11.34 ± 2.11; p < 0.001) and in the amount of gonadotrophin (IU of r-FSH) needed (Agonist Group 1878 ± 1109 vs Antagonist Group 1331 ± 1049; p = 0.0014). Moreover a lower number of cycles were cancelled with the antagonist protocol (4.39 vs 6.41%). The GnRH antagonist protocol, when compared to the GnRH agonist one, is associated with a similar clinical pregnancy rate, similar implantation rate, significantly lower gonadotrophin requirement and shorter duration of stimulation. For this reason, GnRH antagonists might be a good treatment even for normal responder patients undergoing IVF.
Asunto(s)
Fármacos para la Fertilidad Femenina/farmacología , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/antagonistas & inhibidores , Antagonistas de Hormonas/farmacología , Infertilidad Femenina/terapia , Ovario/efectos de los fármacos , Inducción de la Ovulación/métodos , Inyecciones de Esperma Intracitoplasmáticas , Adulto , Implantación del Embrión , Estradiol/sangre , Estradiol/metabolismo , Femenino , Fármacos para la Fertilidad Femenina/administración & dosificación , Fármacos para la Fertilidad Femenina/efectos adversos , Hormona Folículo Estimulante Humana/administración & dosificación , Hormona Folículo Estimulante Humana/efectos adversos , Hormona Folículo Estimulante Humana/farmacología , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/administración & dosificación , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/efectos adversos , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/agonistas , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/análogos & derivados , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/farmacología , Antagonistas de Hormonas/efectos adversos , Humanos , Recuperación del Oocito , Ovario/metabolismo , Embarazo , Índice de Embarazo , Estudios Prospectivos , Proteínas Recombinantes/administración & dosificación , Proteínas Recombinantes/efectos adversos , Proteínas Recombinantes/farmacología , Ciudad de Roma/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Follicle development is controlled amongst other factors by pituitary gonadotropins follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) that act in synergy in completing follicle maturation. Exogenous gonadotropins, combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, have been successfully used in patients with ovulatory disorders undergoing assisted reproduction. There is some evidence of a beneficial role of androgens or LH administration before FSH stimulation. This study was designed to verify whether the addition of LH in the early follicular phase, in downregulated patients undergoing follicular stimulation for assisted reproduction, would add benefits in terms of general outcomes and pregnancy rates. We compared two groups of patients one of which was treated with recombinant FSH (rFSH) alone and the other with rFSH plus recombinant LH (rLH), in the early follicular phase only. The number of eggs recovered was higher in the group treated with FSH only; however, the number of embryos available at transfer was similar in the two groups and, more importantly, the number of Grades I and II embryos was higher in the group pretreated with LH. Similarly, although biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rates were similar in both groups, a beneficial role of LH priming was demonstrated by the higher implantation rate achieved in these patients.
Asunto(s)
Fertilización In Vitro/métodos , Hormona Luteinizante/uso terapéutico , Folículo Ovárico/fisiología , Inducción de la Ovulación/métodos , Adulto , Femenino , Hormona Folículo Estimulante/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Embarazo , Índice de Embarazo , Proteínas Recombinantes/uso terapéutico , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a transient clinical and neuroradiological syndrome characterized by clinical signs and symptoms including hypertension, seizures, altered mental status, headache, and vision changes and characteristic features on head computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. PRES is most commonly reported in the literature in association with obstetric patients suffering from pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. In the acute setting, it is important to recognize the characteristics of PRES and immediately treat patients' emerging conditions that are hypertension and seizures. The following case report describes a pregnant patient who presented clinical characteristics of eclampsia with recurrent episodes of seizure and hypertension complicated by PRES. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and treatment of this condition that is usually transient and completely reversible, but can lead to ischemic injury and irreversible brain damage.
Asunto(s)
Síndrome de Leucoencefalopatía Posterior/diagnóstico , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Síndrome de Leucoencefalopatía Posterior/complicaciones , Síndrome de Leucoencefalopatía Posterior/terapia , Embarazo , Derivación y ConsultaRESUMEN
As there are a number of possible causes of syncope, differentiation between cardiovascular disease, neurogenic disease and other disorders is mandatory. Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are tangled anastomoses of blood vessels of varying calibre in which arteriovenous shunting occurs in a central nidus, which is the area towards which multiple feeding arteries converge and from which enlarged veins drain. We describe a clinical case of syncope caused by a large AVM discovered in a 66-year-old woman. The symptoms were probably related to an epileptogenic mechanism since the syncope disappeared following the administration of antiepileptic therapy. The anatomical, pathological and clinical aspects of AVMs are discussed.
Asunto(s)
Malformaciones Arteriovenosas Intracraneales/complicaciones , Síncope/etiología , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , RecurrenciaRESUMEN
In this hospital case series study we enrolled 394 consecutive ischemic stroke patients aged 14-47 years, all of whom were submitted to a diagnostic protocol. We evaluated the incidence of cerebral ischemia in young adults, as well as the risk factors and the etiopathogenesis of this pathology. Modified diagnostic criteria adopted from the TOAST and Baltimore-Washington Cooperative Young Stroke Study were used for the etiologic classification. The crude annual incidence rate was 8.8/100,000 (95% CI 7.7-9.9), which is in keeping with the rates reported in comparable registries. Risk factors were distributed as follows: smoking in 56% of patients, hypertension in 23%, dyslipidemia in 15%, migraine in 26%, and diabetes mellitus in 2%. Oral contraceptives were being taken by 38% of the women enrolled. The etiology of stroke in the patients was as follows: cardioembolism in 34%, atherothrombosis in 12%, non-atherosclerotic vasculopathies in 14% (including arterial dissection in 12%), other determined causes in 13%, lacunar stroke in 2.5%, migraine in 1%, and undetermined causes in 24%. Despite its biased sampling frame, this large hospital case series, in which risk factor distribution and etiopathogenesis were investigated, stresses the need for an adequate diagnostic approach in young ischemic patients.
Asunto(s)
Accidente Cerebrovascular/epidemiología , Accidente Cerebrovascular/etiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Femenino , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Factores de Riesgo , Ciudad de Roma/epidemiología , Factores Sexuales , Accidente Cerebrovascular/clasificaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In approximately 12-14% of young normogonadotrophic women treated with a depot GnRH agonist long protocol, the initial ovarian response to recombinant human FSH (rFSH) can be suboptimal. We have tested the hypothesis that these women may benefit from recombinant human LH (rLH) supplementation in a multicentre, prospective, randomized trial compared with patients treated with an rFSH step-up protocol. METHODS: A total of 260 young normogonadotrophic women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation with a GnRH agonist long protocol for IVF/ICSI were enrolled. The starting dose of rFSH was 225 IU. One hundred and thirty patients with serum estradiol levels <180 pg/ml and with at least six follicles with a mean diameter >5 mm but none >10 mm on both day 5 and day 8 of stimulation were randomly allocated to two groups. From the eighth day of stimulation, women in group A (n=65) received 150 IU of rLH in addition to rFSH, while those in group B (n=65) had an increase of 150 IU in the daily dose of rFSH (step-up protocol). One hundred and thirty normally responding women continued monotherapy with rFSH and served as a further control population (group C). RESULTS: The mean number of cumulus-oocyte complexes retrieved in group A (9.0+/-4.3) was significantly higher (P<0.01) compared with group B (rFSH 6.1+/-2.6) but significantly lower compared with group C (10.49+/-3.7, P<0.05). Implantation and pregnancy rates were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the rFSH step-up group (10.5 and 29.3% respectively) when compared with normal responders (18.1 and 47.3% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: rLH supplementation is more effective than increasing the dose of rFSH in terms of ovarian outcome in patients with an initial inadequate ovarian response to rFSH alone.