The indications, effectiveness and complications of the selective arterial embolization in the management of obstetrical hemorrhage / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study was to evaluate the indications, effectiveness and complications associated with arterial embolization as a safe and effective alternative treatment of obstetrical hemorrhage. METHODS: From September 1998 to October 2005, 42 patients who had a pregnancy related hemorrhage which did not respond to treatment using obstetric maneuvers and uterotonic drugs were included in our study. The patients underwent angiographic embolization for the management of intractable obstetrical hemorrhage at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University Medical Center. All available medical records and telephone interviews were reviewed and detailed to collect adequate clinical data such as clinical status, underlying conditions, amount of transfusion, embolization sites, materials of embolization, hospital stay, the success rate and the complications. RESULTS: We have experienced clinically successful embolization in 40 (95.2%) of 42 patients of obstetrical hemorrhage resulting from various causes. After embolization, the patient's vital sign was stabilized. The causes of hemorrhage were atony of uterus (n=17), cervical pregnancy (n=5), abnormal placentation (n=5), laceration of uterine cervix and vagina (n=6). The average amount of blood transfusion was 10.3 unit (range; 0-63 unit). The average duration of hospitalization was 7.4 days (range; 4-18 days). We were able to follow up on 32 patients. The main complications after embolization were hypomenorrhea (n=6), numbness of lower extremities (n=3). In all cases menses resumed spontaneously after procedures. CONCLUSION: The arterial embolization is one of the safe and the effective procedures and offers patients a fertility-preserving alternative to hysterectomy for treatment of intractable postpartum hemorrhage.

Neonatal Outcome after Preterm Delivery in HELLP Syndrome

The present study compares neonatal outcome after preterm delivery of infants in pregnancies complicated by the HELLP syndrome or severe preeclampsia (PS). The maternal and neonatal charts of 71 out of a total of 409 pregnancies that were complicated by hypertensive disorders at Severance hospital between January 1995 and December 2004 were reviewed. Twenty-one pregnancies were complicated by HELLP syndrome and 50 pregnancies were complicated by PS. Fifty normotensive (NT) patients who delivered because of preterm labor comprised the control group. Results were analyzed by the chi-square test and ANOVA. Gestational age and maternal age at delivery were matched among the three groups. The neonatal outcomes of the HELLP syndrome group were compared with the PS and NT groups. There were significant differences between the HELLP syndrome group and the PS group in the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (61.9% vs. 26%, p=0.006), sepsis (85.7% vs. 44%, p =0.003) and mechanical ventilation (MV) rate (81% vs. 54%, p=0.039). There were significant differences between the HELLP syndrome group and the NT group in the incidence of neonatal death (ND) (19.5% vs. 2.0%, p=0.034), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (38.1% vs. 8%, p=0.0045), IVH (61.9% vs. 4%, p < 0.0001), sepsis (85.7% vs. 14%, p < 0.0001), intensive care (IC) (85.7% vs. 24%, p < 0.0001) and MV rate (80.1% vs. 14%, p < 0.0001). There were also significant differences between the PS and NT groups in the incidence of ND (20% vs. 2%, p=0.0192), RDS (30% vs. 8%, p=0.0085), IVH (26% vs. 4%, p=0.0070), sepsis (44% vs. 14%, p=0.0015), IC (78% vs. 24%, p < 0.0001), MV rate (54% vs. 14%, p < 0.0001) and low 5-min APGAR score (50% vs. 16%, p=0.0005). This study shows increased morbidity in newborns of mothers complicated with HELLP syndrome and indicates that early, regular and high quality management of these patients is essential to improve both maternal and neonatal outcome.

The prognostic factors for neonatal outcomes of pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of membranes / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To study the neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) and to assess the prognostic factors for poor neonatal outcomes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of pregnancies registered and managed in Korea from Jan 1st, 2000 to Dec 31st, 2005. The 217 women with preterm premature rupture of membranes in singleton pregnancies from 16 to 36 gestational weeks were enrolled in this study. We investigated respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and neonatal infection for poor neonatal outcomes. Prognostic variables included for analysis were age, BMI, parity, history of PPROM, history of preterm labor, preterm labor, amniotic fluid index, tocolysis, antibiotics, antenatal steroid, hemoglobin, WBC, CRP, gestational age at PPROM, interval from PPROM to delivery, gestational age at delivery, placental findings, and etc. We compared the characteristics of those who developed neonatal morbidity (n=144) with those who did not (n=65) using the Student t test for continuous variables, and the Pearson's chi-square or the Fisher exact test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Total of 217 cases of PPROM were registered and treated expectantly during the study period. The majority of cases were delivered within 48 hours of PPROM. There were 64 cases diagnosed with RDS, 21 with IVH, 3 with NEC, 117 with neonatal infection and 8 neonatal mortalities. The gestational age at PPROM (p<0.000), interval from PPROM to delivery (p<0.036), gestational age at delivery (p<0.000), decreased amniotic fluid index (p<0.048), and high level of WBC, CRP (p<0.010, p<0.049) were significantly correlated with poor neonatal outcomes. Birth weight (p<0.000) and APGAR (p<0.000) score at 5 minute were significantly lower in cases resulting in neonatal morbidity. CONCLUSION: Neonatal outcomes of pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of membranes are related to gestational age at PPROM, interval from PPROM to delivery, and gestational age at delivery. The decreased amniotic fluid index, and high level of WBC, CRP presented before delivery are significantly correlated with poor neonatal outcomes. Birth weight and APGAR scores at 5 minute are significantly lower in cases resulting in neonatal morbidity.

Comparison of placental endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression under hypoxic condition between normal versus preeclamptic pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression in the villous explants from normal and preeclamptic (PE) placentae under hypoxic condition. METHODS: Villous explants from normal (n=5) and PE (n=4) placentae were obtained. To obtain hypoxic culture condition, villous explants were cultured in hypoxic chamber or treated with deferoxamine (DFO). ET-1 mRNA expressions in villous explants were evaluated by RT-PCR following 0, 24, and 48 h of culture in hypoxic chamber, and 0, 2, 4, 6 h following DFO treatment. ET-1 protein levels in media were measured by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: After 24 and 48 hours of incubation of villous explants from normal and PE placentae in hypoxic chamber, ET-1 mRNA and protein levels were increased in both groups, however, ET-1 production seemed to be more exaggerated in the villous explants from PE placentae. During 6 h of DFO exposure, ET-1 mRNA level was increased in the villous explants from PE placenta comparing to those from normal placentae (p<0.05). Interestingly, the increase of ET-1 mRNA expression in the villous explants from PE placentae was more exaggerated than those from normal placentae. Concordantly, increments of protein level between 0 to 2 h and 2 to 4 h were significantly higher in villous explants from PE placentae (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: ET-1 mRNA and protein were increased in villous explants from PE placentae compared to those from normal placentae under hypoxic condition. Furthermore, villous explants from PE placentae showed upregulated ET-1 expression upon hypoxic stimulation. This enhanced sensitivity to hypoxia may contribute to ET-1 overexpression in PE placenta in vivo and it needs further investigation for clarification.

Antioxidant System and Oxidative Stress in Uterine Cervical Neoplasia of Korean women / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the plasma levels of antioxidant system and oxidative stress of cervical neoplasia patients to normal control, and to investigate the relationship between the plasma antioxidant system and various clinicopathological factors of cervical cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of 90 cervical neoplasia patients and 90 normal control group was recruited from Nov. 2000 to Jan. 2001 at Yonsei University Medical Center. As the parameter of lipid peroxidation, plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) was spectrophotomerically measured. Plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins were analyzed by reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was measured by coupled enzyme procedure. The correlation between the results and various clinicopathological factors of cervical cancer were evaluated. RESULTS: In women with cervical neoplasia, the activity of GSH-Px and plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins such as lutein, beta-carotene, lycopene and zeaxanthin were significantly lower compared to normal control, while the concentration of MDA was significantly higher. However, between CIN and cervical cancer, only the levels of alpha-tocopherol and MDA showed significant differences. The changes in plasma antioxidant system showed no significant correlation with the prognostic factors of cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a potential role of oxidative stress-induced lipid peroxidation and the impairment of antioxidant system in the pathogenesis of cervical neoplasia. However, these changes failed to define a causal relationship between the antioxidant system and disease outcome, or to show a significant correlation between several antioxidant parameters and the prognostic factors of cervical cancer.

Uterine Arterial Embolization for the Treatment of Leiomyomas Accompanying with Adenomyosis / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to make a guideline of uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine leiomyomas accompanying with adenomyosis in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed the retrospective study for 37 women who had uterine leiomyomas accompanying with adenomyosis. Bilateral uterine artery embolization was performed in 37 patients (age range 25-65) during 17 months with pain, hypermenorrhea, urinary frequency etc due to leiomyomas. Ultrasound imaging was performed before the procedure and at mean 6.9 months after the procedure. RESULTS: All procedures were technically successful. Mean clinical follow-up was 12.8 months. Minor complication occurred in 82% patients after the procedure. After imaging follow-up (mean, 6.9 months postprocedure), median uterine volume decreased 34.4%, and dominant myoma volume decreased 86%. There was no statistical difference in uterine volume reduction and dominant myoma size reduction whether occluding agents was polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol plus gelfoam, and gelfoam, and whether ultrasound measured Resistance Index value before the procedure was low or high. CONCLUSION: Primary candidates for uterine artery embolization include those with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas who no longer desire fertility but wish to avoid surgery or are poor surgical risks. To our study, uterine volume reduction and dominant myoma size reduction in patients who had adenomyosis were similar to previous other studies in patients who had not adenomyosis. Therefore adenomyosis should not be considered as a contraindication for uterine artery embolization. Because there is little data about subsequent reproductive potential after this procedure, it should not be routinely advocated for infertile women. Further investigation is warranted for occluding agents and Resistance Index.

Predictive Factors for Failure of Methotrexate Treatment of Cervical Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The use of methotrexate for the treatment of cervical pregnancy is now common practice. Our study was performed to determine the risk factors when the primary methotrexate treatment of cervical pregnancy was failed. METHODS: From January 1985 to December 1999, we studied 32 women with cervical pregnancies who were treated with methotrexate intramuscularly according to a repeated intramuscular injections protocol. For evaluation of the efficacy of therapy, pretreatment serum concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin, the size of the gestational mass, fetal cardiac activity, and the presence of fluid in the peritoneal cavity were measured. This findings were analyzed and compared by means of the chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and student's t-test between the success and failure. RESULTS: There was no relation between the women's age, parity, the size of the conceptus, or the presence of fluid in the peritoneal cavity and the efficacy of treatment. A cervical pregnancy that presented with a serum human chorionic gonadotropin concentration of >or= 10,000mIU/ml, fetal cardiac activity was considered to be associated with a higher failure rate of primary methotrexate treatment. CONCLUSION: Among cervical pregnancies, a high serum human chorionic gonadotropin concentration and fetal cardiac activity were the important factors associated with failure of treatment with methotrexate.