Objective To summarize the characteristics and management of pregnancy complicated with aortic dissection, and to explore the reasonable diagnosis and treatment plan. Methods The clinical data of 10 patients of pregnancy complicated with aortic dissection in Wuhan Tongji Hospital from January 2011 to June 2017 were collected. Their age was 25.2 (21-29) years. Results In the 10 patients, the majority (8 patients) were primipara, and most of them were in the late stages of pregnancy (5 patients) and puerperal (4 patients). Among them, 1 patient had gestational hypertension, and the blood pressure of the left and right upper extremities was significantly abnormal (initial blood pressure: left upper limb blood pressure: 90/60 mm Hg, right upper limb blood pressure: 150/90 mm Hg). The major clinical manifestations were severe chest and back pain which happened suddenly, with D-dimmer and C-creative protein increased which may be associated with inflammatory reaction. All patients were diagnosed by thoracoabdominal aortic CTA, including 5 patients of Stanford type A dissection and 5 patients of Stanford type B dissection. In the 10 patients, 1 patient refused surgery and eventually died of aortic rupture with the death of fetus before birth. And the remaining 9 patients underwent surgical treatment, 3 patients of endovascular graft exclusion for thoracic aortic stent graft, 2 patients underwent Bentall operation, 1 patient with Bentall + total aortic arch replacement + vascular thoracic aortic stent graft, 1 patient with Bentall operation combined with endovascular graft exclusion for thoracic aortic stent graft, 1 patient with Bentall + coronary artery bypass grafting, 1 patient of thoracoabdominal aortic vascular replacement. Among them, 1 patient underwent endovascular graft exclusion for thoracic aortic stent graft died of severe postoperative infection, and the remaining 8 patients were discharged from hospital. Nine patients were single birth, among them 5 newborn patients had severe asphyxia, 4 patients had mild asphyxia. Finally, 3 neonates died of severe complications, and the remaining 6 survived. Conclusion The ratio of pregnancy with Stanford type A aortic dissection is far higher than in the general population, the possibility of fetal intrauterine asphyxia is larger, but through active and effective surgical and perioperative treatment, we can effectively save the life of mother and fetus.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of the tubal reconstruction after laparoscopic tubal pregnancy operation by comparing with simple laparoscopic tubal pregnancy operation. MethodsBetween May 2007 and May 2010, 63 patients with tubal pregnancy underwent laparoscopic tubal pregnancy operation and tubal reconstruction in 30 cases (trial group) or simple laparoscopic tubal pregnancy operation in 33 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in age, pregnancy time, and position between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The tube patency test and hysterosalpingography (HSG) were carried out to evaluate the efficacy. ResultsThe operation was successfully completed in 29 cases of trial group; 1 case had too severe adhesion to receive re-anastomosis and was excluded. The tube patency test showed that the tube was patency in 26 cases of trial group and in 2 cases of control group during operation, showing significant difference (Z=5.86, P=0.00); it was patency in 25 cases of trial group and in 26 cases of control group at 1 month after operation, showing no significant difference (Z=0.48, P=0.63). HSG examination showed tube was patency in 25 cases of trial group and in 2 cases of control group at 2 months after operation, showing significant difference (Z=5.35, P=0.00). After 24 months, intrauterine pregnancy of trial group (n=25, 86.20%) was significantly higher than that of control group (n=19, 57.58%) (χ2=7.72, P=0.01). ConclusionThe reconstruction after laparoscopic tubal pregnancy operation can significantly increase the intrauterine pregnancy rate, and it is better than simple laparoscopic tubal pregnancy operation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic value of serum cystatin-C (Cys-C) detection in hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy patients. MethodsA hundred patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) were chosen as the research object from February 2012 to March 2013, and they were divided into mild group, moderate group and severe group according to the severity of the disease. The other 40 healthy pregnant women were selected as the controls (the control group). We compared the four groups in terms of Cys-C, serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine level, as well as the positive rate of Cys-C, BUN, and creatinine. ResultsCys-C, BUN, and creatinine in the PIH group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Cys-C and creatinine in preeclampsia mild group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), but BUN level between the two was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Cys-C, BUN, and creatinine in the PIH moderate and severe groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The abnormal rate of Cys-C in the PIH mild group was significantly higher than that of Cys-C and creatinine (P<0.05). ConclusionCys-C, BUN and creatinine can all show renal damage in PIH patients, but the Cys-C value in early diagnosis is better than that of BUN and creatinine. It can be used as a monitoring index of pregnancy-induced hypertension prevention and early treatment.
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) for outcome improvement of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCT) and quasi-randomized controlled trials were identified from MEDLINE (1983 to 2003), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4,2003), EMBASE (1980 to 2003), China Hospital Digital Library (CHDL) and Wanfang data (1994 to 2003). We also handsearched the relative references. Two researchers evaluated the quality of the trials and extracted the data independently. RevMan software 4.2 was used for meta-analysis. Results Eight studies involving 424 pregnant women were included. The following data were the results of meta-analysis of SAMe for improvements: ① Reducing cesarean-section ratio: no significant difference was seen between SAMe and placebo groups with OR 1.00, 95%CI 0.23 to 4.33 and P= 1.00; significant differences were seen SAMe versus dexamethasone and SAMe versus Dianglining with OR 0.44, 95%CI 0.23 to 0.85 and P=0.01; OR 0.28 95%CI 0.10 to 0.75 and P=0.01 respectively。② Prolonging the period of pregnancy: SAMe had no significant difference compared with placebo groups with WMD=0.70, 95%CI -0.69 to 2.10, P=0.32. SAMe was more effective than dexamethasone, Ganyinling and Qianglining on prolonging the period of pregnancy with WMD=1.10,95%CI 0.46 to 1.74, P=0.000 07; WMD=2.50,95%CI 1.86 to 3.14, P≤0.000 01; WMD=2.20,95%CI 1.61 to 2.79, P≤0.000 01 respectively;③ Increasing the weight of the newborn: meta-analysis showed that SAMe group had not significant difference compared with placebo group on increasing the weight of the newborn with WMD=-26.27,95%CI -338.35 to 285.82, P=0.87. Significant differences were seen between SAMe and dexamethasone, SAMe and Ganyiling, SAMe and Qiangling with WMD=386.86,95%CI 134.41 to 603.31, P=0.002; WMD=410.00,95%CI 321.10 to 498.90, P≤0.000 01 respectively. ④ Fetal distress: There was no significant difference compared with dexamethasone and Kuhuang groups on decreasing the fetal distress with OR=0.47, 95%CI 0.14 to 1.16, P=0.23; OR=0.44, 95%CI 0.10 to 1.97, P=0.29 respectively; ⑤ Decreasing pollution of amniotic fluid: no significant differences were seen in SAMe versus dexamethasone, SAMe versus ursoddeoxycholic and SAMe versus Kuhuang with OR=0.46, 95%CI 0.21 to 1.02, P=0.06; OR=0.68, 95%CI 0.20 to 2.31, P=0.53; OR=0.82 95%CI 0.24 to 2.81,P=0.75 recpectively. ⑥ Newborn stifile: SAMe group had no significant difference compared with dexamethasone and Kuhuang groups on decreasing the Newborn stifile with OR=0.19, 95%CI 0.01 to 4.06, P=0.29; OR=0.31, 95%CI 0.08 to 1.13, P=0.08 respectively. Compared with Qianglining group, SAMe group had better effect on reducing ratio of newborn stifile with OR=0.09, 95%CI 0.02 to 0.42, P=0.002. ⑦ Improving Apgar scores: no significant differences were seen between SAMe and placebo, dexamethasone and ursoddeoxycholic with OR=0.25, 95%CI 0.02 to 3.04, P=0.28; OR=2.09, 95%CI 0.70 to 6.27, P=0.19; OR=1.22, 95%CI 0.35 to 4.19, P=0.75 respectively. Six RCTs mentioned the side effects of S-adenosy-l-methionine, only one RCT reported mild gastrointestinal irritation. Conclusions SAMe is partly effective on improving the pregnancy outcomes of intrahepatic choletasis of pregnancy, such as reducting cesarean-section ratio, prolonging the period of pregnancy and increasing the weight of the newborn. The specified efficacy and safety of SAMe require rigorously designed, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trials to offer evidence.
Pregnancy complicated by aortic root aneurysm in patients with Marfan syndrome is one of the main causes of termination of pregnancy or even death in pregnant women. A very small number of pregnant women require cardiac surgery to preserve pregnancy under extracorporeal circulation, and all surgeries use aortic root replacement. We reported a 30-year-old patient with severe aortic regurgitation combined with giant aortic root aneurysm and Marfan syndrome in mid-pregnancy. Valve-sparing root replacement using reimplantation technology was performed via a multidisciplinary cooperation model. This not only achieved the patient’s desire to continue pregnancy but also avoided the anticoagulation and bleeding complications brought by mechanical valve replacement, reduced pregnancy risks and improved long-term quality of life. Postoperative echocardiography showed a small amount of aortic valve regurgitation, aortic valve coaptation height of 0.6 cm, effective height of 1.1 cm, maximum aortic flow velocity of 1.4 m/s, mean transvalvular pressure gradient of 4.4 mm Hg, and satisfactory clinical results.
Congenital heart disease refers to the structural or functional abnormality of the macrovascular in the heart or thoracic cavity caused by the failure of the formation of the heart and large blood vessels during the embryonic development or the abnormal closure of the heart or the closure of the channel after birth. In the past few years, a new and broader definition of structural heart disease has been gradually proposed. Structural heart disease narrowly refers to the pathological and physiological changes of the heart caused by abnormal anatomical structures in the heart, including congenital heart disease. A few decades ago, congenital heart disease was considered as a pediatric disease, because most patients with severe lesions rarely survive to adulthood. Due to recent advances in echocardiography, anesthesia, intensive care, percutaneous intervention, especially cardiac surgery in recent decades, the treatment and intervention strategies for congenital heart disease in children have been greatly improved, a fatal defect in childhood can now be successfully repaired or alleviated. Because of these successes, more than 90% of congenital heart disease patients are expected to survive to adulthood, which has led to emerge a new population: adult patients with congenital heart disease. Adult congenital heart disease patients are different from children. Pulmonary hypertension leads to right heart failure and eventually progresses to whole heart failure. The appearance of Eisenmenger syndrome leads to severe cyanosis and worsening of the disease. At present, the continuous development of mechanical assisted circulation support devices and heart or cardiopulmonary transplantation technology has increased the survival rate of end-stage adult congenital heart disease patients with heart failure. The high incidence of cardiovascular events in pregnant patients requires comprehensive multidisciplinary team care and early coordination planning for delivery, including early counseling for pregnancy-related risks, close monitoring of cardiac function and regular scan of fetal assessment. The prenatal and postpartum integrated diagnosis and treatment model and the development of intrauterine treatment technology reduce the incidence of congenital heart disease in adults from the source through fetal intervention. Other complications such as arrhythmia, infective endocarditis, cerebrovascular accidents, and other medical underlying metabolic diseases also challenge future diagnosis and treatment. The incidence and epidemiology of adult congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension and end-stage heart failure complications, as well as prenatal and postpartum integrated diagnosis and treatment and intrauterine treatment are summarized in this review.
Objective To study the clinical characteristics, therapy strategies and the outcomes of female patients with acute aortic dissection during late pregnancy and puerperal period. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 7 patients with acute aortic dissection during late pregnancy and puerperal period in Shanghai Changhai Hospital between August 2012 and June 2017. Five of the 7 patients were late stage pregnancy, 2 were puerperal period (1 at the postpartum night, 1 in 18 days after delivery). There were 6 patients of Stanford type A aortic dissection (85.7%), and 1 patient of type B aortic dissection (14.3%). The age of the patients ranged from 26 to 34 (30.8±3.1) years. Cardiac ultrasonography of patients with type A showed that the maximum diameter of the ascending aortas was 4.2–5.7 (4.7±0.6) cm, of which 2 patients were aneurysm of aortic sinus, 3 patients were with Marfan syndrome. Bentall procedure was conducted in 1 patient, Bentall+Sun’s surgery in 2 patients, ascending aorta replacement+Sun’s+coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in 1 patient, aortic root remodeling+ascending aorta replacement+Sun’s surgery in 2 patients. One patient with Stanford type B acute aortic dissection was performed with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) after cesarean section. Results Aortic blocking time ranged from 51 to 129 (85.5±22.9) min. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 75–196 (159.0±44.0) min. Moderate hypothermic circulation arrest with selective cerebral perfusion time was 20–30 (23.8±3.5) min. All maternal and fetuses survived. The infant whose mother received aortic repair in early stage and then received cesarean section was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Maternal and fetuses were followed up for 9 months to 4 years. During the follow up period, all the fetuses grew well except the cerebral palsy one, and all maternal recovered well. The patient who received aortic repair in the early stage, had a sigmoid rupture during cesarean section and was treated with sigmoid colostomy. Another patient with Stanford type A dissection was diagnosed as left renal vein entrapment syndrome after 2 years. Conclusion Type A aortic dissection is more common in late pregnancy and puerperal patients. And Marfan syndrome is a high-risk factor for acute aortic dissection in pregnancy women. Early and appropriate surgical treatment strategy based on the type of aortic dissection and gestational age are the key points to achieve good outcomes both for maternal and fetus.
Objective To investigate influence of iodine-131 (131I) treatment following total thyroidectomy on menstrual rhythm and fertility of childbearing age patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods The clinical data of 342 childbearing age patients with PTC treated with total thyroidectomy from January 2007 to December 2016 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were designed to 131I treatment group (126 cases) and non-131I treatment group (216 cases) according to the postoperative treatment. The menstrual rhythm and pregnancy after operation were regularly followed-up on postoperative 1 month. The age, nationality, occupation, menstrual rhythm, and pregnancy were analyzed by two independent samples t or Chi-square or Fisher test. Results ① There were no significant differences in the age, nationality, and occupation between the 131I treatment group and the non-131I treatment group (P>0.05). ② Compared with the non-131I treatment group, the proportions of the irregular menstruation were significantly increased on the 1st month and 3rd month of follow-up (P<0.05) in the131I treatment group, which had no statistically significant differences on the 6th month and 12th month of follow-up in two groups (P>0.05). Further the analysis results of the age stratification showed that had no significant differences at different follow-up time in these two groups (P>0.05). ③ The success rate of pregnancy also had no significant differences in these two groups both in the general and the age stratification analysis results (P>0.05). Conclusions 131I treatment following total thyroidectomy can affect menstrual rhythm of women in childbearing age at the early stage (within 6 months), but there is no abnormal menstruation on 6 months later, which dosen’t effect on pregnancy in women of childbearing age, and it is recommended that pregnancy should be renewed in 1-year after 131I treatment.
ObjectiveTo observe the image characteristics of multispectral scanning laser imaging (MSLI) and OCT in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension syndrome (PIHS).MethodsA total of 112 patients (224 eyes) of PIHS patients diagnosed in Obstetrics Department of Tianjin First Central Hospital from May 2016 to May 2017 were included in this study. The average age of the patients was 27.00±2.14 years. The average course of the disease was 15.00±8.27 days. There were 174 eyes in 87 patients of blurred vision, dazzling and visual fatigue consciously. All patients performed BCVA, direct ophthalmoscope, B ultrasound, confocal scanning laser Ophthalmoscope (cSLO) and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT). SD-OCT was performed with Spectralis HRA+OCT from Heidelberg Company in Germany to acquire tomographic images. Using Herdelberg's colorful program (MultiColor) based on cSLO and operating in accordance with standard methods, one scan simultaneously obtained blue light reflection based on 488 nm, green light reflection based on 515 nm, and infrared reflection based on 820 nm, synthesis to MSLI. Fundus abnormalities were classified into arterial spasm (stage Ⅰ), arteriosclerosis (stage Ⅱ), and retinopathy (stage Ⅲ). OCT examination was divided into normal and abnormal cases according to the abnormality of retinal morphology and thickness.ResultsOf the 224 eyes, 68 eyes (30.36%) showed normal fundus examination and 156 eyes (69.64%) showed abnormal fundus performance. Among them, 28 eyes were stage Ⅰ (17.95%); 40 eyes were stage Ⅱ (25.64%); 88 eyes were stage Ⅲ (56.41%). Thirty-six eyes (16.07%) showed normal fundus and 188 eyes (83.93%) showed abnormal performance with OCT. Of the 188 eyes with abnormal fundus performance, 86 eyes (45.74%) had retinal neuroepithelial serous detachment; 56 eyes (29.79%) had RPE detachment; optic disc edema, bulge, and local reflexes in the retinal nerve fiber layer were enhanced and/or the thickness increased in 46 eyes (24.47%). In MSLI, 48 eyes (21.43%) showed normal fundus; 176 eyes (78.57%) showed abnormal performance. Retinal edema was showed in green on MSLI, serous retinal neuroepithelial layer detachment, RPE layer detachment, retinal nerve fiber layer thickening, accompanied by changes in local retinal structure. The higher the degree of bulge, the darker the color. Consistent with the range of retinal edema revealed by SD-OCT.ConclusionsMSLI and SD-OCT images show highly consistent lesions in PIHS patients. MSLI can more clearly show superficial and deep retinal lesions.
Objective To investigate the adverse pregnant outcomes of hospitalized pregnant women in Lanzhou city, and analyze the corresponding risk factors and provide basis for the further research on better child-bearing and child-rearing. Methods In two provincial-level hospitals and one provincial-level specialized hospital, the method of cluster random sampling was applied to extract 6 825 medical records from January 2004 to December 2005. The relevant information was abstracted and correlative analyses were undertaken. Results The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes for the hospitalized pregnant women in Lanzhou city was 14.65%. Single-factor unconditional logistic regression analyses displayed that the variables with statistical significance were the number of previous pregnancies, the number of previous child delivery, abortion history, abnormal gestation history, and past medical history, whereas multi-factor unconditional logistic regression analyses revealed that the adverse pregnancy outcomes were positively correlated with abnormal gestation history and the number of previous pregnancies with statistical significance. Conclusion The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes for the hospitalized pregnant women in Lanzhou city is quite high. Abnormal gestation history and the number of previous pregnancies are the main risk factors for the adverse pregnancy outcomes.