Clinical profiles of peripartum cardiomyopathy / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristic of peripartum cardiomyopathy. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken on records of women who were diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy at Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju Christian Hospital between January 1994 and December 2004. We made criteria for its diagnosis, namely: (1) developement of heart failure in the last month of pregnancy or within 5 months after delivery, (2) absence of a determinable etiology for the cardiac failure, and (3) absence of demonstrable heart disease prior to the last month of pregnancy. (4) ejection fraction less than 45%. RESULTS: During the research period, 8 pregnant women were documented as peripartum cardiomyopathy. All of the women undertook echocardiography. Three women were complicated with pregnancy induced hypertension. One woman was in cardiogenic shock. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of the peripartum cardiomyopathy is extremely important. The echocardiography can provide helpful information on disease progression.

Birth Weight Distribution of Twins According to Gestational Age / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To establish intrauterine growth curve for the birth weight of twins on the basis of gestational age. METHODS: The medical records of twin gestations delivered between 1980 and 2001 were reviewed. 610 Twin pairs (1,220 infants) were comprised our study population. The newborns were grouped according to gestational age and the median, 10th, 50th, and 90th percentile birth weight for each gestational week were calculated. Intrauterine growth curve of twins was compared with that of singletons of Wonju Christian Hospital. We studied the differences of birth weights of twins as sex, parity, chorionicity in twins. RESULTS: The birth weights of twins fall below that of singleton after 32-33 weeks. The 50th percentile for twins falls below the 10th percentile for singleton after 37 weeks, and 90th percentile for twins falls below the 50th percentile for singleton. The mean birth weight in male twin infant was heavier than in female twin infant through all gestational week. The mean brith weight in multiparity was heavier than in nulliparity through all gestational week. The mean birth weight in dichorionic twins was heavier than in monochorionic twins through all gestational week. CONCLUSION: We presented twin specific birthweight curve on the basis of gestational age. The growth pattern of twins was different from that of singleton. We recommend the twin specific birthweight curve in the management of twin gestations.

A Case of Primary Uterine Angiosarcoma / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Angiosarcoma is defined as a malignant tumor of the endothelial cells present in blood vessels and represents less than 1% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Primary uterine angiosarcomas are particularly rare, and tend to have poor prognosis mostly related to the aggressive nature and the metastatic potential of these tumors. They present most commonly with vaginal bleeding or with weight loss and a pelvic mass. Although postoperative radiation and combination chemotherapy are options being utilized, the results have only shown limited success. We report a case of primary uterine angiosarcoma with a brief review of literature.