Vaginal Sonography of the Cervix for the Prediction of “Time to Delivery” in ART Twins Gestations

Twin Research ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-259
Author(s):  
Adrian Shulman ◽  
Eric Jauniaux ◽  
Anna Holmes ◽  
Shlomo Maschiach ◽  
Ron Maymon

AbstractThe present study aimed to determine a reliable tool to estimate the interval time to delivery in assisted conception twin pregnancies. Mid-gestation cervical length was prospectively measured using transvaginal sonography (TVS) during routine antenatal care. Fifty-seven of 101 suitable women were longitudinally followed and two TVS measurements of their cervical length were obtained, first at approximately 24 weeks gestation and then at approximately 27 weeks gestation. The mean cervical length decreased from 37 ± 12mm at first measurement to 34 ± 11mm at the second one. A linear regression model was found between the time interval of the first (R = 0.656, p < 0.001) and the second (R = 0.435, p < 0.001) assessments and the week of delivery. The current data confirm that the length of the preserved segment of the cervix is an important indicator of its competence. A simple equation using the cervical length (mm) divided by 3 can predict mid gestation scan-to-delivery interval in twin gestation.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (07) ◽  
pp. 648-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Tenbrink ◽  
Mitchell Onslow ◽  
Avinash Patil ◽  
Jordan Knight

Objective Twin pregnancies are associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Our objective was to compare the performance of uterocervical angle to cervical length as predictors of spontaneous preterm birth in this population. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of twin gestations at a single center from May 2008 to 2016 who received a transvaginal ultrasound for the evaluation of the cervix between 16 0/7 and 23 0/7 weeks. The primary outcome was prediction of preterm birth <28 and <32 weeks by uterocervical angle and cervical length. Results Among 259 women with twin gestation, the mean gestational age at birth was 34.83 ± 3.48 weeks. Receiver operator characteristic curves demonstrated optimal prediction of spontaneous preterm birth prior to 32 weeks at a uterocervical angle >110° (80% sensitivity, 82% specificity) [odds ratio (OR), 15.7 (95% confidence interval (CI), 7.2–34.4)] versus cervical length <20 mm (53% sensitivity, 85% specificity; p < 0.001, OR, 6.4 [95% CI, 2.3–17.8]) and similarly, prior to 28 weeks at a uterocervical angle >114° (OR, 24.3 [95% CI, 6.7–88.5]) compared with cervical length <20 mm (OR, 11.4 [95% CI, 3.5–36.7]). Conclusion Uterocervical angles >110° performed better than cervical length for the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in twin gestations.


1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-23
Author(s):  
Samjhana Dhakal ◽  
Shripad Hebbar

Aim: To compare the difference in the cervical length measured digitally or by transabdominal and transvaginal sonogram examination for prediction of preterm labour Method: This was a prospective randomized, controlled study in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi from March 2001 to May 2002 where 200 women coming for routine antenatal care were recruited for the study. A total of 168 women were evaluated, out of which 145 were control group and 23 cases of threatened preterm labor formed study group. Results: The mean length of cervix measured by TVS at 20- 24wks of pregnancy was 3.87 cm. There after there was a slight decrease in the length mainly towards term and or 36 wks of pregnancy i.e. 3.27 cm. Cervical length measured on an average 0.8 cm more than TVS(4.9CM versus 3.52 cm) Similarly digital examination of cervix yielded shorter length, compared to TVS measurement (2.86 cm versus 3.5 cm). Conclusion: This study has shown TVS is a simple tool for prediction of preterm labour as decrease in cervical length was observed in women with threatened preterm labor (2.34 cm) and this decrease was statistically significant compared to that of the control (3.7 cm). Key words: Trans abdominal, transvaginal, preterm labour      doi:10.3126/njog.v2i2.1450 N. J. Obstet. Gynaecol 2007 Nov-Dec; 2 (2): 20 - 23


Author(s):  
Marcelo Santucci França ◽  
Alan Roberto Hatanaka ◽  
Valter Lacerda de Andrade Junior ◽  
Julio Elito Junior ◽  
David Baptista Silva Pares ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The present study aims to determine if the use of cervical pessary plus progesterone in short-cervix (≤ 25 mm) dichorionic-diamniotic (DC-DA) twin pregnancies is equivalent to the rate of preterm births (PBs) with no intervention in unselected DC-DA twin pregnancies. Methods A historical cohort study was performed between 2010 and 2018, including a total of 57 pregnant women with DC-DA twin pregnancies. The women admitted from 2010 to 2012 (n = 32) received no treatment, and were not selected by cervical length (Non-Treated group, NTG), whereas those admitted from 2013 to 2018 (n = 25), were routinely submitted to cervical pessary plus progesterone after the diagnosis of short cervix from the 18th to the 27th weeks of gestation (Pessary-Progesterone group, PPG). The primary outcome analyzed was the rate of PBs before 34 weeks. Results There were no statistical differences between the NTG and the PPG regarding PB < 34 weeks (18.8% versus 40.0% respectively; p = 0.07) and the mean birthweight of the smallest twin (2,037 ± 425 g versus 2,195 ± 665 g; p = 0.327). The Kaplan-Meyer Survival analysis was performed, and there were no differences between the groups before 31.5 weeks. Logistic regression showed that a previous PB (< 37 weeks) presented an odds ratio (OR) of 15.951 (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.294–196.557; p = 0.031*) for PB < 34 weeks in the PPG. Conclusion In DC-DA twin pregnancies with a short cervix, (which means a higher risk of PB), the treatment with cervical pessary plus progesterone could be considered equivalent in several aspects related to PB in the NTG, despite the big difference between these groups.


2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 552-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Klein ◽  
Hubertus Gregor ◽  
Kora Hirtenlehner-Ferber ◽  
Maria Stammler-Safar ◽  
Armin Witt ◽  
...  

AbstractThe objective of our study was to evaluate the correlation of the cervical length at 20–25 weeks of gestation with the incidence of spontaneous preterm delivery in twins in a country with a high incidence of preterm delivery compared to other European countries. Cervical length was measured in 262 consecutive patients. Previous preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation, chorionicity, maternal age, body-mass-index, smoking habit and parity were recorded as risk factors for preterm delivery. Women who were symptomatic at 20–25 weeks and who delivered because of other reasons than spontaneous labour and preterm rupture of membranes or at term were excluded. The primary outcome was incidence of preterm birth before 34 weeks. Two hundred and twenty-three patients were analyzed. Thirty-two (14%) delivered before 34 weeks. There was a significant correlation between cervical length of less than 25 mm and spontaneous delivery before 34 weeks (50% vs. 13%,p= .007). In addition, logistic regression analysis found cervical length to be the only significant predictor of spontaneous delivery before 34 weeks (OR 1.084; 95% CI 1.015; 1.159;p= .017). We conclude that the risk of severe preterm delivery in twins is high. Cervical length at mid-gestation was the only predictor of delivery before 34 weeks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Imthiaz Manoly ◽  
Mohamed El Tahan ◽  
Maymoona Al Shuaibi ◽  
Fatimah Adel ◽  
Mohammed Al Harbi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is the standard-of-care for treating traumatic aortic injury (TAI). Few retrospective studies compared TEVAR to open repair in blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI). Our objectives were to compare the early outcomes of TEVAR for blunt traumatic descending aortic injury to open repair (OR) in polytraumatic patients involved in motor vehicle accidents (MVA). Results Between February 2005 and April 2017, 71 patients with TAI due to MVA presented to our institution. All patients with descending aortic injuries were considered for open repair (n = 41) or TEVAR (n = 30) if there was no contraindication. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were stroke, paraplegia, intensive care unit (ICU), and hospital stay. The mean age was 28.4 ± 10.1 years in the OR group and 33.3 ± 16.6 years in TEVAR-group (P = 0.13). The injury severity scores were 41 ± 10 in the OR group and 33 ± 17 in the TEVAR group (P = 0.03). Patients in the OR group underwent emergency repair with a mean time of 0.56 ± 0.18 days from arrival. The TEVAR group had a longer time interval between arrival and procedure (2.1 ± 1.7 days, P = 0.001). The OR group had more blood transfusion (24 (58.5%) vs. 8 (27.5%), P = 0.002), renal impairment (6 (14.6%) vs. 1 (5.50%), P = 0.23), and wound infection (21 (51.2%) vs. 3 (10%), P < 0.001). Three TEVAR patients had a perioperative stroke compared to two patients in the OR group (P = 0.64). There was no difference in the mean ICU (6 ± 8.9 vs. 5.3 ± 2.9 days; P = 0.1) or hospital stay (20.1 ± 12.3 vs. 20.1 ± 18.3, P = 0.62) between the two groups. There were four deaths in the OR group and none in the TEVAR group (P = 0.13). Conclusion The results of TEVAR were comparable with the open repair for traumatic aortic injury with good early postoperative outcomes. TEVAR repair could be associated with lower mortality, blood transfusion, and infective complications. However, the complexity of the injury and technical challenges were higher in the open group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Kehl ◽  
Christel Weiss ◽  
Jutta Pretscher ◽  
Friederike Baier ◽  
Florian Faschingbauer ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To assess the frequency of antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) administration in cases with shortened cervical length by addition of placental alpha-microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) testing to sonographic examination. Methods Single centre retrospective cohort study. Rate of ACS administration was compared between cases with cervical length between 15 and 25 mm and cases with positive PAMG-1 testing and cervical length between 15 and 25 mm. We evaluated the following outcome parameters: Rate of ACS administration, gestational age at delivery, time to delivery, delivery within seven days, delivery <34 and <37 weeks’ gestation, rate of admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Results In total, 130 cases were included. “PAMG-1 group” consisted of 68 women, 62 cases built the “historical control group”. ACS administration was performed less frequently in the “PAMG-1 cohort” (18 (26%) vs. 46 (74%); p<0.001). The rate of delivery within seven days did not differ (2 (3%) vs. 4 (6.5%); p=0.4239). The rates of delivery <34 weeks’ gestation (7 (10%) vs. 9 (15%); p=0.4643) and <37 weeks’ gestation (19 (28%) vs. 26 (42%); p=0.0939) did not differ. Time to delivery interval was longer in the PAMG-1 group (61.5 vs. 43 days, p=0.0117). NICU admission occurred more often in the “historical control group” (22 (38%) vs. 28 (60%); p=0.0272). Conclusions Addition of biomarker testing can help to avoid unnecessary ACS administrations in women with shortened cervical length.


2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 525-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Thompson ◽  
Nisha Dogra ◽  
Robert McKinley

Aims and methodThere is a lack of current data regarding attitudes of doctors towards psychiatry. General practitioners (GPs) are increasingly involved in teaching psychiatry, and their attitudes towards psychiatry may affect their ability to promote psychiatry. The main aim of the study is to inform on current attitudes of GPs towards psychiatry as a discipline. The Attitudes Towards Psychiatry (ATP-30) questionnaire was administered to all GPs within Shropshire.ResultsThe response rate was 61% (n = 145 from N = 239). The mean score for the ATP-30 was 113.9. An association was found between GP trainer status and higher ATP-30 scores. Positive associations were found between demographic data (age, length of career, postgraduate experience of psychiatry, involvement in undergraduate teaching, GP trainer status) and individual response items on the ATP-30 scale.Clinical implicationsGeneral practitioners in Shropshire have a positive attitude towards psychiatry. Associations between demographic data and ATP-30 scores indicate that GPs with more experience of psychiatry and those involved in training may have more positive attitudes. The main limitation of the study is the lack of proven validity of the scale for use in this population. The positive attitude towards psychiatry is consistent with GPs providing the role models needed if they are to be involved to a greater degree with teaching and promoting psychiatry as a career. The need for the development of a more specific tool or an update to the existing tool is discussed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenji Yoshida ◽  
Eri Tanaka ◽  
Hiroyoshi Kawaai ◽  
Shinya Yamazaki

To obtain effective infiltration anesthesia in the jawbone, high concentrations of local anesthetic are needed. However, to reduce pain experienced by patients during local anesthetic administration, low-pressure injection is recommended for subperiosteal infiltration anesthesia. Currently, there are no studies regarding the effect of injection pressure on infiltration anesthesia, and a standard injection pressure has not been clearly determined. Hence, the effect of injection pressure of subperiosteal infiltration anesthesia on local anesthetic infiltration to the jawbone was considered by directly measuring lidocaine concentration in the jawbone. Japanese white male rabbits were used as test animals. After inducing general anesthesia with oxygen and sevoflurane, cannulation to the femoral artery was performed and arterial pressure was continuously recorded. Subperiosteal infiltration anesthesia was performed by injecting 0.5 mL of 2% lidocaine containing 1/80,000 adrenaline, and injection pressure was monitored by a pressure transducer for 40 seconds. After specified time intervals (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 minutes), jawbone and blood samples were collected, and the concentration of lidocaine at each time interval was measured. The mean injection pressure was divided into 4 groups (100 ± 50 mm Hg, 200 ± 50 mm Hg, 300 ± 50 mm Hg, and 400 ± 50 mm Hg), and comparison statistical analysis between these 4 groups was performed. No significant change in blood pressure during infiltration anesthesia was observed in any of the 4 groups. Lidocaine concentration in the blood and jawbone were highest 10 minutes after the infiltration anesthesia in all 4 groups and decreased thereafter. Lidocaine concentration in the jawbone increased as injection pressure increased, while serum lidocaine concentration was significantly lower. This suggests that when injection pressure of subperiosteal infiltration anesthesia is low, infiltration of local anesthetic to the jawbone may be reduced, while transfer to oral mucosa and blood may be increased.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Tareq Abdulqader

The study's aim was to develop a non-contact, ultrasound (US) based respiration rate and respiratory signal monitor suitable for babies in incubators. Respiration rate indicates average number of breaths per minute and is higher in young children than adults. It is an important indicator of health deterioration in critically ill patients. The current incubators do not have an integrated respiration monitor due to complexities in its adaptation. Monitoring respiratory signal assists in diagnosing respiration rated problems such as central Apnoea that can affect infants. US sensors are suitable for integration into incubators as US is a harmless and cost-effective technology. US beam is focused on the chest or abdomen. Chest or abdomen movements, caused by respiration process, result in variations in their distance to the US transceiver located at a distance of about 0.5 m. These variations are recorded by measuring the time of flight from transmitting the signal and its reflection from the monitored surface. Measurement of this delay over a time interval enables a respiration signal to be produced from which respiration rate and pauses in breathing are determined. To assess the accuracy of the developed device, a platform with a moving surface was devised. The magnitude and frequency of its surface movement were accurately controlled by its signal generator. The US sensor was mounted above this surface at a distance of 0.5 m. This US signal was wirelessly transmitted to a microprocessor board to digitise. The recorded signal that simulated a respiratory signal was subsequently stored and displayed on a computer or an LCD screen. The results showed that US could be used to measure respiration rate accurately. To cater for possible movement of the infant in the incubator, four US sensors were adapted. These monitored the movements from different angles. An algorithm to interpret the output from the four US sensors was devised and evaluated. The algorithm interpreted which US sensor best detected the chest movements. An IoMT system was devised that incorporated NodeMcu to capture signals from the US sensor. The detected data were transmitted to the ThingSpeak channel and processed in real-time by ThingSpeak’s add-on Matlab© feature. The data were processed on the cloud and then the results were displayed in real-time on a computer screen. The respiration rate and respiration signal could be observed remotely on portable devices e.g. mobile phones and tablets. These features allow caretakers to have access to the data at any time and be alerted to respiratory complications. A method to interpret the recorded US signals to determine respiration patterns, e.g. intermittent pauses, were implemented by utilising Matlab© and ThingSpeak Server. The method successfully detected respiratory pauses by identifying lack of chest movements. The approach can be useful in diagnosing central apnoea. In central apnoea, respiratory pauses are accompanied by cessation of chest or abdominal movements. The devised system will require clinical trials and integration into an incubator by conforming to the medical devices directives. The study demonstrated the integration of IoMT-US for measuring respiration rate and respiratory signal. The US produced respiration rate readings compared well with the actual signal generator's settings of the platform that simulated chest movements.


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Boonstra ◽  
BN Hilderink ◽  
ET Locati ◽  
FW Asselbergs ◽  
P Loh ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by the Dutch Heart Foundation Background Ventricular conduction disorders can induce arrhythmias and impair cardiac function. Bundle branch blocks are diagnosed by 12-lead ECG, but discrimination between complete bundle branch blocks, incomplete bundle branch blocks and normal tracings can be challenging. CineECG computes the mean temporo-spatial isochrone (mTSI) trajectory of activation waveforms in a 3D-heart model from 12-lead ECGs. This trajectory represents the mean trajectory of the ventricular electrical activation at any time interval directly related to ventricular anatomy. In Brugada patients, CineECG has localized the terminal components of ventricular depolarization to right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT). Also, for the localization of bundle branch blocks, the region of latest activation contains the most information. Using CineECG, subject specific anatomically related information about the location of bundle branch blocks is obtained. Purpose This study aimed at exploring whether CineECG can improve the discrimination between complete left/right bundle branch blocks (LBBB/RBBB), and incomplete RBBB (iRBBB). Methods We utilized 400 12-lead ECGs from the online Physionet-XL-PTB-Diagnostic ECG Database with a certified ECG diagnosis. The mTSI trajectory was calculated and projected into the anatomical 3D-heart model. Five CineECG classes were established: "Normal", "iRBBB", "RBBB", "LBBB" and "Undetermined", to which each tracing was allocated. We determined the accuracy of CineECG classification with the gold standard diagnosis. Results A total of 391 ECGs were analyzed (9 ECGs were excluded for noise) and 240/266 were correctly classified as "normal", 14/17 as "iRBBB", 55/55 as "RBBB", 51/51 as "LBBB" and 31 as "undetermined". Average mTSI trajectories were calculated according to ECG diagnosis (Figure). The terminal mTSI contained most information about the BBB localization, as that part directs to the site of latest activation (Figure, red arrow). Conclusion CineECG provided the anatomical localization of different BBBs and accurately differentiated between normal, LBBB and RBBB, and iRBBB. CineECG may aid clinical diagnostic work-up, potentially also contributing to the difficult discrimination between normal, iRBBB and Brugada patients. Abstract Figure. Average CineECG trajectories


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