Echocardiography in the Diagnosis and Management of Tricuspid Atresia

This review focuses on the utility of echocardiographic studies in the diagnosis of tricuspid atresia (TA) and in its management. Tricuspid atresia is a cyanotic congenital heart defect (CHD) accounting for nearly 1.5% of all CHDs. It is generally classified according to the morphology of the atretic tricuspid valve and associated heart defects. Following the description of the anatomic features of TA, echocardiographic features characteristic for TA were illustrated. Subsequent to a review of palliative and corrective procedures to treat TA, echocardiographic evaluation at each stage of Fontan was detailed. The role of echocardiography in the assessment of cardiac defects responsible for interstage mortality was also addressed. It was concluded that echo-Doppler studies are useful in the diagnosis and management of TA.

Differential-diagnostic approach in assessing the nature of the course of partial atrophy of the optic nerve

Purpose. To determine the diagnostic criteria for the progressive nature of the course of non-glaucomatous etiology of ONA according to the data of electrophysiological and Doppler studies. Material and methods. In accordance with the purpose of the study, 3 groups were formed of 95 patients aged 37 to 72 years, (average age 56±9 years), 53 of them were men and 42 were women. Clinical data of three clinical groups were compared, of which the first group with stationary ONA, the second with progressive ONA, and the third control group, without pathology of the retina and optic nerve. Results. It was revealed that the progressive nature of the course of non-glaucomatous ONA is influenced by changes in indicators such as electrical lability of the optic nerve, maximum systolic and end diastolic blood flow velocity in the ophthalmic artery and in the lateral posterior short ciliary arteries. Conclusion. The results formed the basis for our development of a method for assessing the course of ONA. Key words: partial atrophy of the optic nerve, electrophysiological studies, Doppler studies.

Effect of maternal dexamethasone administration on daily fetal movement count and its correlation with Doppler studies and cardiotocography

Background: Decreased fetal movements is a frequent reason for unplanned consultations through the third trimester ranging between 4% and 16% in various populations it is often a sign of fetal compromise and associated with severe outcomes such as fetal growth restriction, preterm birth and fetal death therefore it is important to question the effect of maternal dexamethasone administration for fetal well-being and its relation on decreased fetal movement which is detected by Doppler studies and cardiotocography. Methods: The current study was performed on 220 pregnant women with gestational age between 28-34 weeks who received antenatal dexamethasone at Ain Shams university hospitals.Results: Regarding fetal movements, there was significant decrease in fetal movement at the 24th hour (Day 2) after 1st and 2nd doses of dexamethasone then re-increased at 48th hour and 72nd hour but still significantly lower than baseline.Conclusions: Administration of dexamethasone had no harmful effects on the fetuses or the mothers, except for a transient decrease of fetal movements in only after 24 hours of the first dose.

FEATURES OF THE COURSE OF PREGNANCY / CHILDBIRTH / POSTPARTUM PERIOD IN WOMEN WITH POSITIVE RESULTS FOR COVID-19

A retrospective analysis was carried out according to the archival material of the center of perinatology and pediatric cardiac surgery in Almaty for 2020. The analysis was carried out in pregnant women with COVID-19, a total of 150 stories were examined. The features of the course of pregnancy and childbirth were assessed by studying the data of laboratory diagnostic methods of research, clinical symptoms, X-ray, ultrasound, Doppler studies. The study highlights the features of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period in women infected with COVID-19.