Risk Prediction of Cardiovascular Complications in Pregnant Women With Heart Disease / Predição de Risco de Complicações Cardiovasculares em Gestantes Portadoras de Cardiopatia

Abstract Background: Heart disease in pregnancy is the leading cause of non- obstetric maternal death. Few Brazilian studies have assessed the impact of heart disease during pregnancy. Objective: To determine the risk factors associated with cardiovascular and neonatal complications. Methods: We evaluated 132 pregnant women with heart disease at a High-Risk Pregnancy outpatient clinic, from January 2005 to July 2010. Variables that could influence the maternal-fetal outcome were selected: age, parity, smoking, etiology and severity of the disease, previous cardiac complications, cyanosis, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class > II, left ventricular dysfunction/obstruction, arrhythmia, drug treatment change, time of prenatal care beginning and number of prenatal visits. The maternal-fetal risk index, Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy (CARPREG), was retrospectively calculated at the beginning of prenatal care, and patients were stratified in its three risk categories. Results: Rheumatic heart disease was the most prevalent (62.12%). The most frequent complications were heart failure (11.36%) and arrhythmias (6.82%). Factors associated with cardiovascular complications on multivariate analysis were: drug treatment change (p = 0.009), previous cardiac complications (p = 0.013) and NYHA class III on the first prenatal visit (p = 0.041). The cardiovascular complication rates were 15.22% in CARPREG 0, 16.42% in CARPREG 1, and 42.11% in CARPREG > 1, differing from those estimated by the original index: 5%, 27% and 75%, respectively. This sample had 26.36% of prematurity. Conclusion: The cardiovascular complication risk factors in this population were drug treatment change, previous cardiac complications and NYHA class III at the beginning of prenatal care. The CARPREG index used in this sample composed mainly of patients with rheumatic heart disease overestimated the number of events in pregnant women classified as CARPREG 1 and > 1, and underestimated it in low-risk patients (CARPREG 0).

Resumo Fundamento: Cardiopatia na gravidez é a primeira causa de morte materna não obstétrica. Poucos estudos brasileiros avaliaram o impacto da cardiopatia na gestação. Objetivo: Determinar os fatores de risco associados às complicações cardiovasculares e neonatais. Métodos: Foram avaliadas 132 gestantes cardiopatas, acompanhadas em um Setor de Gestação de Alto Risco, de janeiro de 2005 a julho de 2010. Foram selecionadas variáveis que poderiam influenciar no desfecho materno/fetal: idade, paridade, tabagismo, etiologia, gravidade da cardiopatia, complicações cardíacas prévias, cianose, classe funcional New York Heart Association (NYHA) > II, disfunção/obstrução do ventrículo esquerdo, arritmia, mudança de tratamento, início e número de consultas de pré-natal. Foi calculado, retrospectivamente, o índice de risco materno-fetal de acordo com o Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy (CARPREG) no início do pré-natal. As pacientes foram estratificadas nas três categorias de risco do CARPREG. Resultados: A cardiopatia reumática foi a cardiopatia mais prevalente (62,12%). As complicações mais frequentes foram descompensação cardíaca (11,36%) e arritmias (6,82%). Fatores associados às complicações cardiovasculares na análise multivariada foram mudança do tratamento (p = 0,009), complicações cardíacas prévias (p = 0,013) e classe funcional III NYHA na primeira consulta pré-natal (p = 0,041). O porcentual de complicação cardiovascular foi 15,22% no grupo CARPREG 0; 16,42% no CARPREG 1; e 42,11% no CARPREG >1 − diferentemente do estimado pelo índice original: 5%, 27% e 75%, respectivamente. Na amostra, tivermos 26,36% de prematuridade. Conclusão: Os fatores de risco para complicação cardiovascular nessa população foram a mudança de tratamento, as complicações cardíacas prévias e a classe funcional III NYHA no início do acompanhamento pré-natal. O índice CARPREG, nesta amostra, composta principalmente por pacientes com cardiopatia reumática, superestimou o número de eventos em gestantes classificadas como CARPREG 1 e > 1, e subestimou o risco em pacientes de baixo risco (CARPREG 0).

Risk Prediction of Cardiovascular Complications in Pregnant Women With Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Heart disease in pregnancy is the leading cause of non- obstetric maternal death. Few Brazilian studies have assessed the impact of heart disease during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors associated with cardiovascular and neonatal complications. METHODS: We evaluated 132 pregnant women with heart disease at a High-Risk Pregnancy outpatient clinic, from January 2005 to July 2010. Variables that could influence the maternal-fetal outcome were selected: age, parity, smoking, etiology and severity of the disease, previous cardiac complications, cyanosis, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class > II, left ventricular dysfunction/obstruction, arrhythmia, drug treatment change, time of prenatal care beginning and number of prenatal visits. The maternal-fetal risk index, Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy (CARPREG), was retrospectively calculated at the beginning of prenatal care, and patients were stratified in its three risk categories. RESULTS: Rheumatic heart disease was the most prevalent (62.12%). The most frequent complications were heart failure (11.36%) and arrhythmias (6.82%). Factors associated with cardiovascular complications on multivariate analysis were: drug treatment change (p = 0.009), previous cardiac complications (p = 0.013) and NYHA class III on the first prenatal visit (p = 0.041). The cardiovascular complication rates were 15.22% in CARPREG 0, 16.42% in CARPREG 1, and 42.11% in CARPREG > 1, differing from those estimated by the original index: 5%, 27% and 75%, respectively. This sample had 26.36% of prematurity. CONCLUSION: The cardiovascular complication risk factors in this population were drug treatment change, previous cardiac complications and NYHA class III at the beginning of prenatal care. The CARPREG index used in this sample composed mainly of patients with rheumatic heart disease overestimated the number of events in pregnant women classified as CARPREG 1 and > 1, and underestimated it in low-risk patients (CARPREG 0).

Assessment of endothelial function in pregnant women with preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus by flow-mediated dilation of brachial artery.

PURPOSE: To compare endothelial function, as assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and healthy pregnant women. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of eighty women who were selected and divided into three groups: Group A comprising 42 pregnant women with PE, Group B (control) consisting of 19 normotensive pregnant women with no comorbidities and Group C consisting of 19 pregnant women with GDM. The women underwent FMD and the results were compared between groups. The data were obtained from the Center for Fetal Medicine, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil (CEMEFE-HC-UFMG) after approval by the Ethics and Research Committee on June 4, 2008 under no CAAE-0280.0.203.000-08. RESULTS: Nonparametric variance analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the characteristics of the three groups. The comparison between the results of the mean values of brachial artery FMD groups of pregnant women with preeclampsia (FMD = 5.36 ± 4.61 %), gestational diabetes (FMD = 9,18 ± 5.98 %) and pregnant women in the control group (FMD = 17.55 ± 8.35 %) showed that a statistically significant difference was found between groups using the Dunn test. The comparison between groups PE × GDM was not statistically significant. The group consisting of pregnant women with GDM associated with those with PE had significantly lower results for FMD (6.55 ± 5.33 %) than the control group (17.55 ± 8.35 %, p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: The group consisting of pregnant women with GDM or PE showed results for FMD significantly lower than the control group, suggesting possible endothelial injury in these patients.

Diagnosis of severe fetal anemia based on perinatal outcomes: a comparative analysis of the current reference values.

Objectives. To compare current criteria for severe fetal anemia diagnosis. Methodology. A cohort study analyzed 105 alloimmunized fetuses that underwent cordocentesis due to risk of anemia. Concordance among the diagnostic criteria for severe fetal anemia, hemoglobin deficit >7 g/dL, hemoglobin deficit ≥5 g/dL, and hemoglobin concentration <0.55 MoM, was analyzed using Cohen's Kappa index. Perinatal mortality, fetal hydrops, and fetal acidosis were used to discuss discordances. Results. There was fair concordance among the three criteria analyzed: 0.80 (Kappa index, IC 95%: 0.67 to 0.93) when comparing hemoglobin deficit >7.0 g/dL and hemoglobin concentration <0.55 MoM criteria, 0.63 (Kappa index, IC 95%: 0.47 to 0.69) when comparing hemoglobin deficit ≥5.0 g/dL and hemoglobin deficit >7.0 g/dL reference, and 0.77 (Kappa index, IC 95%: 0.64 to 0.90) when comparing hemoglobin deficit≥5.0 g/dL and hemoglobin concentration <0.55 MoM standards. Eighteen cases were classified differently depending on the criteria used. The cut-off point of hemoglobin deficit ≥5 g/dL was the best criterion to discriminate fetuses with poor perinatal outcome in our study. Conclusions. Relevant discordances in classification of severe fetal anemia were pointed out. Some criteria may underestimate the real gravity of fetal anemia.

Determining the volume of blood required for the correction of foetal anaemia by intrauterine transfusion during pregnancies of Rh isoimmunised women.

BACKGROUND: Severe anaemic foetuses of Rhesus (Rh) isoimmunised mothers are usually treated by intrauterine transfusion (IUT). It is helpful to determine the volume of blood necessary to raise the concentration of haemoglobin by 1.0 g/dL in response to intrauterine transfusions. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, observational study we evaluated 107 first IUT for the correction of anaemia caused by haemolysis triggered by maternal Rh immunisation. The concentration of foetal haemoglobin was determined in umbilical cord blood before and after the IUT. The variation in foetal concentration of haemoglobin after transfusion was compared between groups of hydropic and non-hydropic foetuses, between groups of foetuses with different degrees of anaemia and with groups of gestational age less than or more than 28 weeks. The t-test for averages and ANOVA were used to compare average differences among the groups. p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Fifty-five (61.4%) foetuses were found to be anaemic while hydrops was observed in 40 (44%) at the time of the IUT. The volume of red blood cell concentrate infused varied from 5 to 90 mL, with 11.2±1.5 mL being necessary to raise the circulating concentration of haemoglobin by 1.0 g/dL. The foetal response was not influenced significantly by either the degree of foetal anaemia (p=0.56) or the presence of hydrops (p=0.17). The foetuses with a gestational age of 28 weeks or less required a smaller volume of red blood cell concentrate than those with a gestational age of more than 28 weeks (9.3±5.4 mL and 13.4±4.8 mL, respectively; p<0.0001) in order to raise their concentration of circulating haemoglobin by 1.0 g/dL. CONCLUSION: The volume of red blood cell concentrate necessary to correct anaemia in pregnancies complicated by Rh isoimmunisation must be considered carefully, since the response to the infusion of blood is peculiar in extremely premature infants. Hydrops and the degree of anaemia were not determinants of the change in the final concentration of circulating haemoglobin following the blood transfusion.

Miocardiopatia periparto / Peripartum cardiomyopathy

A miocardiopatia periparto (MCPP) é doença rara, reconhecida como entidade distinta das cardiomiopatias preexistentes, de ocorrência em mulheres previamente saudáveis, durante o período periparto. É pouco conhecida em relação a sua etiologia, risco e prognóstico. As manifestações clínicas mais comuns são as da insuficiência cardíaca sistólica. Sua terapia farmacológica convencional inclui diuréticos, digoxina, inibidores da enzima conversora de angiotensina, bloqueadores dos receptores de angiotensina e bloqueadores beta-adrenérgicos. Os pacientes refratários à terapia farmacológica convencional requerem o suporte circulatório mecânico e o transplante cardíaco. Não existe consenso sobre os riscos de futuras gravidezes em pacientes com MCPP prévia.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare disease, recognized as a distinct entity from preexisting cardiomyopathy. It occurs in previously healthy woman, during the peripartum period. PPCM is still a little known disease concerning its etiology, risk and prognosis. The most common clinical manifestations are those of systolic heart dysfunction. The objective of the study is to review the scientific literature about the several aspects of PPCM. A total of 19 publications were evaluated. The conventional therapy for congestive heart failure includes diuretics, digoxin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) and beta-adrenergic blockers. For those patients who are resistant to all conventional pharmacological therapy, the viable options are cardiac transplant and mechanical circulation support. There is no consensus about the recommendations on risk of future pregnancies in these patients. Results demonstrate the need for more studies to the understanding of this disease etiology, epidemiology and prognosis.

Diagnóstico e conduta na Síndrome HELLP / Diagnosis and management of HELLP Syndrome

A síndrome HELLP é definida classicamente pela presença de hemólise, elevação das enzimas hepáticas e plaquetopenia durante a gravidez. Acredita-se que essa síndrome seja uma variante da pré-eclâmpsia grave, apesar de nem sempre ocorrer hipertensão arterial. A síndrome HELLP ocorre em cerca de 1 a 2 casos a cada 1.000 gestações, e sua importância reside na elevada morbimortalidade materna e fetal. Dessa forma, o diagnóstico oportuno poderá livrar a mãe e o feto dos efeitos deletérios da doença. O tratamento definitivo consiste no parto, entretanto, a conduta dependerá da idade gestacional, da vitalidade fetal e das condições clínicas maternas. Neste artigo revisam-se os principais indícios diagnósticos da síndrome HELLP, bem como as condutas para o melhor benefício materno-fetal.

HELLP syndrome is classically defined by the presence of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (thrombocytopenia), during pregnancy. It is considered a variant of severe pre-eclampsia, although hypertension might not always occur. HELLP syndrome occurs in approximately 1 to 2 cases per 1000 pregnancies, and its importance is related to the high maternal and fetal mortality. Thus the diagnosis should be able to deliver mother and fetus from the deleterious effects of the disease. The definitive treatment is the delivery, however HELLP prognosis will depend on the fast diagnosis, and the treatment must take into consideration the gestational age, the fetal and the maternal medical conditions. This review article focus on HELLP syndrome major evidences as well as on the best maternal-fetal benefitial behavior.

Miocardiopatia periparto: aspectos relevantes / Peripartum cardiomyopathy: relevant aspects

A miocardiopatia periparto constitui entidade clínica rara, caracterizada por dilatação cardíaca e manifestações de insuficiência cardíaca grave, capaz de evoluir de forma fatal. Ocorre nos meses finais da gestação ou precocemente no puerpério. Sua etiologia e epidemiologia ainda são pouco conhecidas. Há grande discrepância nos prognósticos observados em relatos de caso, variando desde recuperação completa da função ventricular até fatalidade. Neste artigo é relatada a apresentação da doença de forma típica. O objetivo é enfatizar sua importância para que seja instituída precocemente sua terapêutica, evitando assim sua progressão para formas graves.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare clinical condition characterized by cardiac dilation and signs of severe heart failure and can be fatal. Its main characteristic is to affect women in the final months of pregnancy or early puerperium. Although the high morbidity and mortality, its etiology and epidemiology are poorly known. However, the outcome reports differ widely from complete recovery to death. The article reports a case to illustrate a typical manifestation of the disease. Our objective is to emphasize the importance of the theme not only to cardiologists but also to obstetricians, as the early therapy is the most important way to prevent the progression to severe conditions. Therefore the diagnosis of PPCM requires a lot of care and attention, and preventive counseling after PPCM is important due the increased risk for recurrence in a subsequent pregnancy.

Síndrome HELLP: relato de caso / HELLP syndrome: case report

Este artigo relata o caso de paciente de 20 anos de idade, feoderma, grávida de 35 semanas e três dias, primigesta, com síndrome HELLP. Foi internada na Maternidade do Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG após apresentar lombalgia e vômitos. Foram constatadas hipertensão e proteinúria. Submeteu-se à propedêutica para síndrome HELLP, que revelou plaquetopenia, elevação de transaminases e de desidrogenase lática. A gestante foi submetida a cesariana segmentar sob anestesia geral. Evoluiu com hipotonia uterina e hemorragia puerperal. Recebeu concentrado de plaquetas e de hemácias. Teve alta após cinco dias, com exames laboratoriais normais.

This is the case report a 20-year-old pregnant woman, yellow-skinned (feoderma), with gestational age 35 weeks and 3 days, primigravida with a final diagnosis of HELLP syndrome. She was admitted at the Maternity section of Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG, after presenting symptoms of low back pain, abdominal pain and vomiting. The physical examination and tests found hypertension and proteinuria. The laboratory tests for HELLP syndrome revealed thrombocytopenia, elevated transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The patient underwent a caesarean section under general anesthesia. She presented hypotonic uterine inertia and postpartum hemorrhage. The patient was given platelet concentrates and red blood cells. She was discharged after the 5th day, with normal laboratory.

Relevância clínica dos fatores de angiogênese na pré-eclâmpsia / Clinical relevance of angiogênese factor in preeclampsia

O desenvolvimento de hipertensão durante a gravidez continua sendo uma causa significante de morte materna em todo o mundo e no Brasil é particularmente preocupante. Na gravidez, 6-8 porcento das mulheres desenvolvem pré-eclâmpsia, a qual tem sido considerada a principal causa de morbimortalidade materno-fetal. Embora de etiologia indefinida, novas evidências sugerem que fatores angiogênicos produzidos pela placenta desempenham papéis essenciais nesse processo. Estes fatores agem local e sistemicamente, promovendo alterações materno-fetais para atender à crescente demanda metabólica e à expansão de volume. A busca por fatores angiogênicos como possíveis mediadores da disfunção endotelial sistêmica generalizada tem sido convincente em mostrar que a expressão aumentada e níveis elevados do fator solúvel similar à tirosina-cinase-I (sFIt-I), alterações na produção/função do fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular (VEGF) e do fator de crescimento placentário (PIGF) são eventos determinantes dos fenótipos da pré-eclâmpsia (hipertensão e proteinúria). O mecanismo proposto é que o sFIt-I neutraliza os efeitos vasodilatador e angiogênico do VEGF/PIGF. O resultado do desequilíbrio na produção/função desses fatores leva à disfunção endotelial, com conseqüências hipertensivas. Esta revisão sumariza o entendimento atual do papel dos fatores angiogênicos na gravidez e sua relação com o endotélio materno. Também avalia as alterações dos marcadores de angiogênese e suas repercussões na patogênese, diagnóstico e predição da pré-eclâmpsia.

Cálculo do volume de sangue necessário para a correção da anemia fetal em gestantes isoimunizadas / Blood volume calculation required for the correction of fetal anemia in pregnant women with alloimmunization

OBJETIVO: obter uma equação capaz de estimar o volume de concentrado de hemácias a ser infundido para correção da anemia em fetos de gestantes portadoras de isoimunização pelo fator Rh, baseado em parâmetros alcançados durante a cordocentese prévia à transfusão intra-uterina. MÉTODOS: em estudo transversal, foram analisadas 89 transfusões intra-uterinas para correção de anemia em 48 fetos acompanhados no Centro de Medicina Fetal do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. A idade gestacional mediana, no momento da cordocentese, foi de 29 semanas e a média de procedimentos por feto foi de 2,1. A hemoglobina fetal foi dosada antes e após a cordocentese, sendo verificado o volume de concentrado de hemácias transfundido. Para determinação de uma fórmula para estimar o volume sanguíneo necessário para correção da anemia fetal, tomou-se como base o volume necessário para elevar em 1 g por cento a hemoglobina fetal (diferença entre a concentração de hemoglobina final e a inicial, dividida pelo volume transfundido) e o volume de quanto seria necessário para se atingir 14 g por cento, em análise de regressão múltipla. RESULTADOS: a concentração da hemoglobina pré-transfusional variou entre 2,3 e 15,7 g por cento. A prevalência de anemia fetal (Hb<10 g por cento) foi de 52 por cento. A equação de regressão obtida para determinação do volume de sangue necessário para alcançar a concentração de Hb de 14 g por cento foi: volume para transfusão (mL)=18,2 - 13,4 x hemoglobina pré-transfusão intra-uterina + 6,0 x idade gestacional em semanas. Está fórmula foi estatisticamente significativa (p<0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: o estudo mostrou que é possível estimar o volume transfusional necessário para correção da anemia fetal, baseando-se em parâmetros de fácil obtenção: idade gestacional e valor da hemoglobina pré-transfusional.

PURPOSE: to obtain an equation to estimate the volume of red blood cells concentrate to be infused to correct anemia in fetuses of pregnant women with Rh factor isoimmunization, based in parameters obtained along the cordocentesis previous to intrauterine transfusion. METHODS: a transversal study analyzing 89 intrauterine transfusions to correct anemia in 48 fetuses followed-up in the Centro de Medicina Fetal do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de Minas Gerais. The median gestational age at the cordocentesis was 29 weeks and the average number of procedures was 2.1. Fetal hemoglobin was assayed before and after cordocentesis, leading to the volume of transfused red blood cells concentrate. The determination of an equation to estimate the blood volume necessary to correct the fetal anemia was based in the blood volume necessary to raise the fetal hemoglobin in 1 g percent (the difference between the final and the initial hemoglobin concentration divided by the transfused volume) and in the volume of the amount necessary to reach 14 g percent, in the multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: the concentration of pre-transfusion hemoglobin varied between 2.3 and 15.7 g percent. The prevalence of fetal anemia (Hb<10 g percent) was 52 percent. The regression equation obtained in the determination of blood volume necessary to reach the concentration of 14 g percent of Hb was: transfusion volume (mL)=18.2 - 13.4 x pre- intrauterine transfusion hemoglobin + 6.0 x gestational age in weeks. This equation was statistically significant (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: the study has shown that it is possible to estimate the transfusion volume necessary to correct fetal anemia, based on easily obtainable parameters: gestational age and level of pre-transfusion hemoglobin.

Correlação entre o exame clínico, a mamografia e a ultra-sonografia com o exame anatomopatológico na determinação do tamanho tumoral no câncer de mama / Correlation between clinical examination, mammography and ultrasonography with histopathological exam in the determination of tumor size in breast cancer

OBJETIVO: avaliar qual o melhor método entre o exame clínico (EC), a mamografia (MMG) e a ultra-sonografia (US) na determinação pré-operatória do tamanho tumoral no câncer de mama, tendo como referência o exame anatomopatológico. MÉTODOS: foram incluídas neste estudo 184 pacientes com lesões mamárias detectadas por MMG e US, palpáveis ou não, e que foram submetidas a ressecção cirúrgica do tumor, com diagnóstico histopatológico de câncer de mama. O maior diâmetro tumoral foi avaliado por EC, MMG e US por um mesmo examinador, e a medida obtida por cada método foi correlacionada com o diâmetro máximo obtido pelo exame anatomopatológico. A análise comparativa foi feita por meio do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (r). RESULTADOS: o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson encontrado entre o exame anatomopatológico e o EC foi 0,8; entre o exame anatomopatológico e a MMG foi 0,7 e entre o exame anatomopatológico e a US foi 0,7 (p<0,05). Foram calculados também os coeficientes de correlação de Pearson entre os métodos avaliados, obtendo-se r=0,7 entre o EC e a MMG, r=0,8 entre o EC e a US e r=0,8 entre a MMG e a US (p<0,05). CONCLUSÕES: o EC, a MMG e a US apresentaram acentuada correlação com a medida anatomopatológica, além de forte correlação entre si, mostrando-se equivalentes como métodos na determinação pré-cirúrgica do tamanho do tumor mamário. No entanto, devido às limitações específicas de cada método, o EC, a MMG e a US devem ser considerados complementares entre si para obtenção de uma medida mais acurada do tumor no câncer de mama.

PURPOSE: to evaluate which method is the best to determine pre-surgically the size of breast cancer: clinical examination, mammography or ultrasonography, using as a reference the anatomopathological exam. METHODS: this study has included 184 patients with palpable-or-not breast lesions, detected by mammography and ultrasonography, that were submitted to surgical resection of the tumor, with histopathological diagnosis of breast cancer. The same examiner evaluated clinically the largest tumoral diameter, through clinical examination, mammography and ultrasonography, and the measurements obtained by each method were correlated with the maximum diameter obtained by the anatomopathological exam. The comparative analysis has been done by Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS: Pearson's correlation coefficient between the anatomopathological and the clinical exams was 0.8; between the anatomopathological exam and the mammography, 0.7; and between anatomopathological exam and ultrasonography 0.7 (p<0.05). Pearson's correlation coefficients among the methods evaluated were also calculated and r=0.7 was obtained between clinical exam and mammography, r=0.8 between clinical examination and utrasonograhy, and r=0.8 between mammography and ultrasonography (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: clinical examination, mammography and ultrasonography have presented high correlation with the anatomopathological measures, besides high correlations among themselves, what seems to show that they may be used as equivalent methods in the pre-surgical evaluation of the breast tumoral size. Nevertheless, due to specific limitations of each method, clinical examination, mammography and ultrasonography should be seen as complementary to each other, in order to obtain a more accurate measurement of the breast cancer tumor.

Placental growth factor (PlGF) is a surrogate marker in preeclamptic hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate plasma levels of angiogenic factors and their association with preeclampsia. METHODS: Twenty-three women with preeclampsia and nine normotensive pregnant women from the Maternity of Hospital das Clínicas of Belo Horizonte/MG-Brazil were assessed by National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group Creteria (NHBPEPWG). The plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Placental growth factor (PlGF) were determined by ELISA assay. RESULTS: Plasma concentration of PlGF was 12-fold lower in preeclampsia versus non preeclampsia pregnancies. An inverse correlation was observed between PlGF plasma levels and mean arterial pressure (MAP); a decrease in 1pg/mL of PlGF resulted in 6.18 mm Hg increase in MAP. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that PlGF is related to MAP in pregnant women.

[Correlation between clinical examination, mammography and ultrasonography with histopathological exam in the determination of tumor size in breast cancer]. / Correlação entre o exame clínico, a mamografia e a ultra-sonografia com o exame anatomopatológico na determinação do tamanho tumoral no câncer de mama.

PURPOSE: to evaluate which method is the best to determine pre-surgically the size of breast cancer: clinical examination, mammography or ultrasonography, using as a reference the anatomopathological exam. METHODS: this study has included 184 patients with palpable-or-not breast lesions, detected by mammography and ultrasonography, that were submitted to surgical resection of the tumor, with histopathological diagnosis of breast cancer. The same examiner evaluated clinically the largest tumoral diameter, through clinical examination, mammography and ultrasonography, and the measurements obtained by each method were correlated with the maximum diameter obtained by the anatomopathological exam. The comparative analysis has been done by Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS: Pearson's correlation coefficient between the anatomopathological and the clinical exams was 0.8; between the anatomopathological exam and the mammography, 0.7; and between anatomopathological exam and ultrasonography 0.7 (p<0.05). Pearson's correlation coefficients among the methods evaluated were also calculated and r=0.7 was obtained between clinical exam and mammography, r=0.8 between clinical examination and ultrasonography, and r=0.8 between mammography and ultrasonography (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: clinical examination, mammography and ultrasonography have presented high correlation with the anatomopathological measures, besides high correlations among themselves, what seems to show that they may be used as equivalent methods in the pre-surgical evaluation of the breast tumoral size. Nevertheless, due to specific limitations of each method, clinical examination, mammography and ultrasonography should be seen as complementary to each other, in order to obtain a more accurate measurement of the breast cancer tumor.

[Blood volume calculation required for the correction of fetal anemia in pregnant women with alloimmunization]. / Cálculo do volume de sangue necessário para a correção da anemia fetal em gestantes isoimunizadas.

PURPOSE: to obtain an equation to estimate the volume of red blood cells concentrate to be infused to correct anemia in fetuses of pregnant women with Rh factor isoimmunization, based in parameters obtained along the cordocentesis previous to intrauterine transfusion. METHODS: a transversal study analyzing 89 intrauterine transfusions to correct anemia in 48 fetuses followed-up in the Centro de Medicina Fetal do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de Minas Gerais. The median gestational age at the cordocentesis was 29 weeks and the average number of procedures was 2.1. Fetal hemoglobin was assayed before and after cordocentesis, leading to the volume of transfused red blood cells concentrate. The determination of an equation to estimate the blood volume necessary to correct the fetal anemia was based in the blood volume necessary to raise the fetal hemoglobin in 1 g% (the difference between the final and the initial hemoglobin concentration divided by the transfused volume) and in the volume of the amount necessary to reach 14 g%, in the multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: the concentration of pre-transfusion hemoglobin varied between 2.3 and 15.7 g%. The prevalence of fetal anemia (Hb<10 g%) was 52%. The regression equation obtained in the determination of blood volume necessary to reach the concentration of 14 g% of Hb was: transfusion volume (mL)=18.2 - 13.4 x pre- intrauterine transfusion hemoglobin + 6.0 x gestational age in weeks. This equation was statistically significant (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: the study has shown that it is possible to estimate the transfusion volume necessary to correct fetal anemia, based on easily obtainable parameters: gestational age and level of pre-transfusion hemoglobin.

Trombastenia de Glanzmann e gravidez: relato de caso / Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and pregnancy: a case report

Os autores relatam um caso extremamente raro de paciente com diagnóstico de Trombastenia de Glanzmann, prévio a gravidez. Paciente de 25 anos, branca, primigesta, proveniente de Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, foi acompanhada durante o período pré-natal, parto e puerpério no Serviço de Assistência à Gestaçäo Alto Risco do Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG. O período pré-natal transcorreu sem complicaçöes. A mesma teve o parto espontâneo. No pós parto imediato desenvolveu grande hematoma no local da episotomia com resoluçäo espontânea em duas semanas sob tratamento clínico. A gestaçäo aumenta o risco de sangramento maciço no parto e a transfusäo de plaquetas pode ser ineficaz em alguns casos

Cardiopatia e gravidez: aspectos históricos / Heart disease and pregnancy: historics aspects

Os autores realizam uma revisäo da literatura nacional e internacional sobre os aspectos históricos da cardiopatia na gravidez, desde os primeiros trabalhos sobre o assunto até atingir a atualidade

Visäo crítica na pesquisa dos fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de complicaçöes secundárias a cardiopatia materna (Parte I- Atualizaçäo) / Critical view of the risk factors investigations for the development of clinical complications secondary to cardiopathy in the preganant woman (Part I - Update)

Os autores fazem uma análise crítica da literatura sobre os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de complicaçöes clínicas durante a gestaçäo relacionadas à cardiopatia materna

Experimental model for endometriosis: comparative histological study between the ectopic and eutopic endometrium

Thyrty-six rats were implanted with endometrial squares (2 x 2 mm) to the left parietal peritoneum and the right uterine horn was tied. The rats were mated for 20 days and then sacrificed. Topic and ectopic endometrial histological pattern were compared. There was a correlation between the histological pattern of the autografted endometrium and the eutopic endometrium in most rats, pregnant or not. This suggests that both responded in a similar way to the same endocrine stimuli. The experimental model for endometriosis admiting the histological correlation between the uterine endometrium and the ectopic in factible and it is easy to be repetead.

Leiomioma uterino mixóide: relato de caso / Uterine myxoid leiomyoma: case report

Leiomiomas uterinos sÝo tumores derivados de músculo liso, de contorno circunscrito, aspecto fasciculado e de fácil diagnóstico, ultra-sonográfico e histopatológico. Os autores descrevem um caso de leiomioma uterino volumoso (peso 2.330 g) que apresentou extensa degeneraçÝo mixóide conferindo ao tumor aspecto gelatinoso. Houve dificuldade na exérese cirúrgica e no diagnóstico macroscópico diferencial com o leiomiossarcoma mixóide e o mixoma peritoneal