A. Tigaizin

Prospective Evaluation of Uterine Artery Flow Velocity Waveforms at 12–14 and 22–24 Weeks of Gestation in Relation to Pregnancy Outcome and Birth Weight

Objective: Uterine artery flow velocity was prospectively assessed using Doppler ultrasound at 12–14 and 22–24 weeks of gestation in the prediction of subsequent complications related to uteroplacental insufficiency: preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, fetal growth restriction, fetal death and placental abruption, and to elucidate its relationship with birth weight. Methods: Uterine artery Doppler assessment was obtained during routine ultrasound screening in 263 unselected women. Flow velocity waveforms were coded according to the number of notches present at each scanning, respectively: none (0, 0), uni-/bilateral notches that disappeared (1, 0) or (2, 0), uni-/bilateral notches that persisted unilaterally (1, 1) or (2, 1), and persistent bilateral notches (2, 2). Results: Complete outcome data was obtained for 243 (92.4%) women. Of these women, 55 (22.6%) and 84 (34.6%) women had uni- and bilateral notches, respectively, at 12–14 weeks’ gestation; 14 (5.8%) and 21 (8.6%) patients had uni- and bilateral notches, respectively, at 22–24 weeks’ gestation. Analysis of complication rates for the four groups showed that they increased with notch persistence (5.7, 13.5, 57.1 and 76.2%), while the corresponding mean birth weight declined (3,273, 3,180, 2,698 and 2,418 g). Conclusion: The absence or early disappearance of uterine artery notches is associated with fewer complications related to uteroplacental insufficiency and normal birth weight, whereas their late and partial disappearance or bilateral persistence tends to compromise the prognosis.

Prééclampsie et syndrome des antiphospholipides. Intérêt du Doppler utéroplacentaire

INTRODUCTION Women with persistently high resistance in uterine arteries have an increased risk of the subsequent development of preeclampsia. Doppler investigation provides a non-invasive method for the study of the uteroplacental blood flow. In pregnant women the antiphospholipid syndrome is associated to an increased risk of preeclampsia and complications related to uteroplacental insufficiency, and the role of uterine artery Doppler is discussed. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS In normal pregnancy, impedance to flow in the uterine arteries decreases with gestation, as the likely consequence of the physiologic change of spiral arteries into low-resistance vessels. In women with preeclampsia or related complications, the abnormal persistence of high resistance to flow in the uterine arteries correlates with maternal and neonatal outcome. In one study including patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, a high resistance index in the uterine arteries at 22-24 weeks gestation strongly predicted the subsequent development of preeclampsia. In another study including patients with lupus anticoagulant, persistent bilateral notches at 22-24 weeks gestation may identify preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction with a high sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. The treatment may improve the uteroplacental blood flow and is a possible confounding factor which needs further evaluation. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS; In patients with antiphospholipid antibodies a higher impedance has been observed in the uterine artery, suggesting a possible vascular dysfunction precluding to impaired trophoblastic invasion and placental thrombosis, as probable mechanisms in the complications. If confirmed, these findings might have important implications for the management of these patients.

Non-conventional antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with clinical obstetrical APS: Prevalence and treatment efficacy in pregnancies

OBJECTIVES To describe the prevalence of non-conventional APL in patients with obstetrical APS without conventional APL and the impact of treatment on pregnancy outcome. METHODS Patients with clinical obstetrical criteria were tested for anti-phosphatidylethanolamine (aPE) IgG/M, anti-prothrombin/phosphatidylserine (anti-PS/PT) IgG/M, and anti-annexin V IgG. Pregnancy losses rates were compared between APS, non-conventional APS, and non-APL and in untreated pregnancies to treated ones for each group. RESULTS Using the cutoffs (ROC), 65/96 (68%) patients have been considered as non-conventional APS and compared to 83 APS and 31 patients without APL. The obstetrical history in non-conventional APS did not differ in comparison to confirmed APS. The frequencies of anti-annexin V IgG antibodies tended to be more frequent in non-conventional APS (88% versus 73%; p = 0.06), and those of anti-PE IgG and M were similar. The anti-PS/PT IgG and M antibodies were more frequent in confirmed APS than in non-conventional APS (63% and 37% versus 4% and 5%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Overall, 261 pregnancies in patients with non-conventional APS were compared with 81 pregnancies of confirmed APS and 132 pregnancies from non-APL group. Out of 474, 136 (29%) patients have been treated during pregnancies, and treatment significantly increased the rate of live birth (26% in untreated versus 72% in treated pregnancies, p < 0.0001). In univariate analyses, treatment effect on pregnancy losses was similar in patients with APS and non-conventional APS, with odds ratio at 3.3 (95% CI: 1.8-6.1) and 6.9 (95% CI: 3.9-12.3) (p = 0.49) and significantly more important for the 2 APS groups pooled versus non-APL group [OR at 1.9 (95% CI: 1.1-3.5) for non-APL group versus 5.3 (95% CI: 3.5-8.1) for APS groups, p = 0.0025]. CONCLUSION In this study, 68% of patients with clinical criteria for obstetrical APS seronegative for conventional APL have non-conventional APL. These patients have a significant decrement of pregnancy losses if they receive treatment for APS during their pregnancy.

Hémodynamique utéroplacentaire et pratique du Doppler utérin à 12 semaines d’aménorrhée

Resume Ces dernieres annees ont vu se confirmer la faisabilite et l’interet potentiel du Doppler uterin au troisieme mois de grossesse. L’appreciation du morphogramme uterin par voie abdominale est possible des 12–14 SA. Un tiers des patientes n’ont deja plus d’incisure protodiastolique et ont un faible risque de complications vasculaires gravidiques (hypertension, retard de croissance intra-uterin, hematome retroplacentaire). Le caractere « protecteur » de la disparition du notch est d’autant plus marque que cette transformation physiologique se produit tot.

Mise au pointPrééclampsie et syndrome des antiphospholipides. Intérêt du Doppler utéroplacentairePreeclampsia and antiphospholipid syndrome. Uterine artery Doppler evaluation

INTRODUCTION Women with persistently high resistance in uterine arteries have an increased risk of the subsequent development of preeclampsia. Doppler investigation provides a non-invasive method for the study of the uteroplacental blood flow. In pregnant women the antiphospholipid syndrome is associated to an increased risk of preeclampsia and complications related to uteroplacental insufficiency, and the role of uterine artery Doppler is discussed. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS In normal pregnancy, impedance to flow in the uterine arteries decreases with gestation, as the likely consequence of the physiologic change of spiral arteries into low-resistance vessels. In women with preeclampsia or related complications, the abnormal persistence of high resistance to flow in the uterine arteries correlates with maternal and neonatal outcome. In one study including patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, a high resistance index in the uterine arteries at 22-24 weeks gestation strongly predicted the subsequent development of preeclampsia. In another study including patients with lupus anticoagulant, persistent bilateral notches at 22-24 weeks gestation may identify preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction with a high sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value. The treatment may improve the uteroplacental blood flow and is a possible confounding factor which needs further evaluation. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS; In patients with antiphospholipid antibodies a higher impedance has been observed in the uterine artery, suggesting a possible vascular dysfunction precluding to impaired trophoblastic invasion and placental thrombosis, as probable mechanisms in the complications. If confirmed, these findings might have important implications for the management of these patients.

Accessory ovary in the utero-ovarian ligament: an incidental finding

BackgroundSo far, only 21 descriptions of accessory ovary have been reported since 1959. However, the true incidence of this condition is probably underestimated because the pathologic forms (ovarian tumors and endometriosis) are probably more often diagnosed and reported.CaseWe report the incident discovery of one right accessory ovary during a laparoscopic tubal sterilization. This accessory ovary was asymptomatic and structurally normal. It was connected serial to the right utero-ovarian ligament and left in situ. There was no other anomaly.ConclusionGynaecologic surgeons must be aware of this possibility when removal of the whole ovarian tissue is needed.