Interpregnancy interval and abnormally invasive placentation.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of a previous uterine scar is a strong risk factor for developing abnormally invasive placentation (AIP). We sought to determine whether a short interpregnancy interval predisposes to AIP. We hypothesized that a short interpregnancy interval after a previous cesarean delivery increases the risk of AIP in comparison with a longer interpregnancy interval. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of women with a histological diagnosis of AIP and a history of a previous cesarean section. Women were included in the control group if they had a previous cesarean section with a placenta underlying the previous uterine scar or an anterior previa. The time interval between pregnancy and AIP data was analyzed using the chi-square test and two-tailed Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the interpregnancy interval between women who had AIP vs the control group. Gravidity and parity were found to be significantly higher in the women with AIP vs the controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a short interpregnancy interval may not increase the risk of developing AIP.

Procalcitonin in amniotic fluid at the time of genetic amniocentesis and preterm delivery.

PURPOSE: Procalcitonin (PCT) is an acute-phase protein that has been infrequently studied in amniotic fluid. We sought to determine if PCT levels measured in amniotic fluid samples at the time of genetic amniocentesis are predictive of preterm delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on all women presenting for genetic amniocentesis between 15-23 weeks of pregnancy at our institution from 2011 to 2013 with stored amniotic fluid samples. PCT protein levels were measured in the samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PCT levels in women who delivered less than 37 weeks versus those who delivered at or after 37 week were compared. Mann-Whitney test was used. RESULTS: Eighty-seven samples were available for analysis and of these eight (9.2%) were from patients who delivered preterm. Sixty-two (70%) had PCT levels below the lower limit of quantification, which was 25 pg/mL. Median PCT levels did not differ between the preterm and term group [20.4 pg/mL (range 0-82.8) and 20.2 pg/mL (range 0-198.4), respectively, p = .95]. CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic women undergoing genetic amniocentesis in this cohort, procalcitonin levels were low to undetectable and did not correlate with risk of subsequent preterm birth.

Use of the Tei Index in the Conservative Management of TRAP Sequence Pregnancies Diagnosed during the Periviable Period: A Case Series.

Twin Reverse Arterial Perfusion (TRAP) Sequence is a rare complication of monochorionic pregnancies. Without intervention, the viable pump twin in a case of TRAP Sequence may develop high output cardiac failure leading to an intrauterine fetal demise. We present 3 cases of TRAP Sequence pregnancy diagnosed during the second or third trimesters of pregnancy. There are minimal sonographic tools for the guidance of a fetal therapeutic interventional procedure during the second trimester or timing of delivery during the third trimester to reduce morbidity and mortality of a viable fetus. Tei index may be a useful sonographic tool in the management of TRAP Sequence during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Prophylactic Hypogastric Artery Ligation during Placenta Percreta Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective To evaluate if prophylactic hypogastric artery ligation (HAL) decreases surgical blood loss and blood products transfused. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study comparing patients with placenta percreta undergoing prophylactic HAL at the time of cesarean hysterectomy versus those who did not. Data were presented as means ± standard deviations, proportions, or medians with interquartile ranges. Demographic and clinical data were compared in the groups using Student's t -test for normally distributed data or the Mann-Whitney U test for nonnormally distributed data. Fisher's exact test was used for proportions and categorical variables. Data are reported as significant where p was <0.05. Results There were 26 patients included in the control group with no HAL and 11 patients included in the study group. Estimated blood loss for the study group was 1,000 mL versus 800 mL in the control. Units of PRCBs transfused were 4.5 units in the study group versus 2 units for the control group. None of these measures were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion Our data suggest there was no benefit in the use of prophylactic HAL in decreasing surgical blood loss or amount of blood products transfused in patients who had a cesarean hysterectomy performed for placenta percreta. Précis Prophylactic HAL does not decrease blood loss during surgery for placenta percreta.

Is preeclampsia an independent predictor of diastolic dysfunction? A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if preeclampsia is an independent predictor of diastolic dysfunction and what factors among patients with preeclampsia are associated with diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who delivered between 2008 and 2013 at a single institution who had a maternal echocardiogram during their pregnancy or within 5months of delivery. Patients with structural heart disease, ejection fraction less than 45%, pulmonary embolus, or age over 45years were excluded. Medical records were reviewed for medical and obstetric complications and echocardiogram findings. Demographic characteristics and rate of diastolic dysfunction were compared between patients with preeclampsia and without preeclampsia. Multivariate logistic regression was performed controlling for age, ethnicity, gestational age at delivery, diabetes, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), antihypertensive use and magnesium sulfate administration. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were identified, of which 39 (59%) had preeclampsia. Past history of preeclampsia, IUGR in the current pregnancy, antihypertensive use and magnesium sulfate use were higher in the preeclampsia group. Fifteen patients (39%) in the preeclampsia group were African-American compared to 2 (3%) in the control group (p<0.01). Seventeen (44%) of the patients with preeclampsia were found to have diastolic dysfunction compared to 3 (11%) controls (OR=6.18, 95% CI 1.59,24.02; p=0.006). Logistic regression analysis did not reveal other independent predictors of diastolic dysfunction. In the patients with preeclampsia, history of preeclampsia with severe features and IUGR were not associated with diastolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports previous findings that preeclampsia is associated with diastolic dysfunction.