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Biomedical subjects

S Degani

Publications and source records attributed to S Degani.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Maternal echocardiography in hypertensive pregnancies.

Echocardiographic hemodynamic and left ventricular parameters were determined in 14 normotensive and 18 hypertensive women during the last trimester of pregnancy. The hypertensive patients had significantly higher mean values of total peripheral resistance (p less than 0.001), maximum velocity of posterior wall motion (p less than 0.05), mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (p less than 0.01) and percent fiber shortening of left ventricular diameter (p less than 0.05). The mean values for heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, cardiac index, left ventricular posterior wall thickness and septal thickness did not differ significantly in both groups. These results reflect increased cardiac contractility related to elevated peripheral vascular resistance in subjects with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Adult↗

Decrease in pulsatile flow in the internal carotid artery in fetal hydrocephalus.

The effect of ventriculomegaly on pulsatile flow in the internal carotid arteries has been studied by Doppler ultrasound in four hydrocephalic fetuses. The pulsatility index showed progressive elevation proportional to the developing ventriculomegaly and thus may be a valuable index for the study of the mechanism of brain injury and for the determination of optimal timing of intervention.

Carotid Artery, Internal↗

Fetal internal carotid artery flow velocity time waveforms in twin pregnancies.

The fetal internal carotid artery and umbilical artery flow velocity time waveforms were studied in 17 consecutive twin pregnancies. The pulsatility index was calculated for each fetus in each artery as an index of vascular resistance. All studies were done within 14 days before delivery. In 8 pregnancies both fetuses were of birthweight appropriate for gestational age; whereas, in 9 patients one or both of the infants were small for gestational age (SGA). From ultrasound criteria and Doppler studies of the umbilical and fetal internal carotid arteries, decreased fetal internal carotid artery pulsatility index (cut off value less than or equal to 1.2) was found to be the best predictor of SGA (sensitivity 83%, specificity 95%, positive predictive value 91%, negative predictive value 91%).

Birth Weight↗

Fetal arrhythmia associated with sinus node dysfunction--a case report.

Real time and M-mode echocardiography were used for evaluation of fetal bradycardia. Sinus bradycardia was revealed without structural abnormalities. An abdominal wall derived fetal electrocardiogram and the failure of the sinus rate to increase in response to maternal exercise or I.V. atropine suggested sinus node dysfunction. Postnatal evaluation revealed sinus bradycardia with blunted response to I.V. atropine and an abnormal sinus node recovery time. A gradual increase in heart rate was demonstrated in the neonatal period, possibly due to decrease in vagal tone.

Adult↗

Cerebral and umbilical arterial blood flow velocity waveforms in normal and growth-retarded pregnancies.

A combined sector and pulsed Doppler system was used to study the pulsatility index in the fetal internal carotid artery and umbilical artery in 156 normal pregnancies and 42 cases of intrauterine growth retardation (birth weight below the tenth percentile). All pregnancies were in the third trimester. In normal pregnancies, there was a gestational age-related fall in pulsatility index for both the umbilical artery and the umbilical artery/internal carotid artery ratio. No such fall was established for the pulsatility index in the internal carotid artery. In growth-retarded pregnancies, raised pulsatility index values in the umbilical artery were associated with reduced pulsatility index values in the internal carotid artery, suggesting the presence of a "brain-sparing" effect. When fetal causes of growth retardation were excluded, the sensitivities of the pulsatility index in the internal carotid artery, the umbilical artery, and for the umbilical artery/internal carotid artery ratio were 65, 83, and 88% at the 1 standard deviation (SD) cutoff level; and 48, 60, and 70% at the 2 SD cutoff level. Growth-retarded fetuses with structural or chromosomal defects had normal pulsatility index values in the internal carotid artery.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Isometric exercise test for predicting gestational hypertension.

One hundred normotensive young primigravidas underwent an isometric handgrip exercise test between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation. The same individual performed the tests and the results were withheld from the physician taking care of the patient. The study demonstrates a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 96.5%. These results demonstrate a reliable predictive ability of this simple exercise test for gestational hypertension.

Exercise Test↗

Is serum free estriol measurement essential in the management of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy?

A prospective study of antepartum fetal evaluation of 306 randomized hypertensive pregnancies was carried out. One hundred and fifty-four patients (group 1) were managed in accordance with a protocol (protocol A) which included non-stress test (NST), oxytocin challenge test (OCT), serum unconjugated (free) estriol measurements (E3), and ultrasound measurement of the fetal head-to-abdomen circumference ratio (H/A c.r.). A second group (group 2), composed of 152 patients, was managed using another protocol (protocol B) which included the NST, OCT and ultrasound measurement of the fetal head-to-abdomen circumference ratio (H/A). We found a good correlation between the serial normal tests and the outcome of pregnancies. We obtained good results in patients with abnormal NST-OCT and meconium-stained amniotic fluid and in patients with repeated abnormal NST-OCT with clear amniotic fluid due to active management by early deliveries ignoring fetal lung maturity. This management increased the rate of cesarean section and prematurity. There was a low correlation between patients with abnormal serum free estriol as the only antepartum pathological test and the appearance of intrapartum fetal distress, low birth weight and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The contribution of serum free estriol (E3) measurements in such patients was only of value in cases of intra-uterine fetal growth retardation, but its prediction rate was less than that of ultrasound measurement of head-to-abdomen circumference ratio. Our results indicate that hypertensive pregnancy management without serum free estriol measurement may be valuable and safe.

Estriol↗

Congenital cardiac fibroma associated with fetal arrhythmia.

A congenital cardiac fibroma presented itself, antenatally by bursts of extrasystoles which were detected by the cardiotocograph during labor. Congenital cardiac tumors are extremely rare. The symptomatology of such tumors consists mainly of hemodynamic disturbances and various arrhythmias. Most of the reported cases were diagnosed in neonates or infants, usually in autopsies, none were diagnosed in utero. It seems logical to assume that some of the arrhythmias may have been present but not diagnosed antepartum. To the best of our knowledge the association of congenital cardiac tumor and fetal arrhythmia (FA) has not been reported yet.

Adult↗

Ovarian pregnancy in association with an intrauterine device.

Within a 1-year period, two cases of primary ovarian pregnancy associated with an intrauterine device (IUD) occurred in our institution. The clinical signs and symptoms were similar to those in any other ectopic pregnancy. Both cases satisfied the criteria of Spiegelberg. The final diagnosis was based on the histopathological findings. A review of the literature is presented summarizing the 53 cases reported until now. The association between IUD, ectopic pregnancy in general, and ovarian pregnancy in particular is discussed.

Adult↗

Scanning electron microscopy of human Fallopian tube in ectopic pregnancy.

The scanning electron microscopy by virtue of its high resolution topographic reproduction of epithelial surfaces lining the female genital tract, provides unique information toward understanding the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system. The human Fallopian ectopic pregnancy is an urgent gynecologic event, which was and still is a diagnostic challenge. There is an increase in the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in recent years. With the purpose of exploring the etiology of tubal ectopic pregnancy from the ultrastructure point of view, we examined 7 cases of tubal pregnancy and compared them to a similar number of normal tubes. We do not find evidence to the pathophysiology of tubal pregnancy by examination of the ultrastructure of the human tube with scanning electron microscopy.

Epithelium↗

Ultrasonic detection of fetal ascites associated with polyhydramnios.

The combination of fetal ascites and polyhydramnios is an uncommon problem that can be detected in utero by sonography. A case is reported where the etiology was found to be generalized cytomegalovirus infection. The differential diagnosis, etiology and diagnostic procedures are discussed. A thorough sonographic study is essential in the diagnosis and evaluation of fetal ascites in utero.

Adult↗