[Induced abortion: Guidelines for clinical practice - Text of the Guidelines (short text)]. / L'interruption volontaire de grossesse : recommandations pour la pratique clinique ­ Texte des recommandations (texte court).

OBJECTIVE: Develop recommendations for the practice of induced abortion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Pubmed database, the Cochrane Library and the recommendations from the French and foreign Gyn-Obs societies or colleges have been consulted. RESULTS: The number of induced abortions (IA) has been stable for several decades. There are a lot of factors explaining the choice of abortion when there is an unplanned pregnancy (UPP). Early initiation and choice of contraception in connection to the woman's life are associated with lower NSP. Reversible contraceptives of long duration of action should be positioned fist in line for the teenager because of its efficiency (grade C). Ultrasound before induced abortion must be encouraged but should not be obligatory before performing IA (Professional consensus). As soon as the sonographic apparition of the embryo, the estimated date of pregnancy is done by measuring the crown-rump length (CRL) or by measuring the biparietal diameter (BIP) from 11 weeks on (grade B). Reliability of these parameters being±5 days, IA could be done if measurements are respectively less than 90mm for CRL and less than 30mm for BIP (Professional consensus). A medical IA performed with a dose of 200mg mifepristone combined with misoprostol is effective at any gestational age (EL1). Before 7 weeks, mifepristone followed between 24 and 48hours by taking misoprostol orally, buccally sublingually or eventually vaginally at a dose of 400 ug possibly renewed after 3hours (EL1, grade A). Beyond 7 weeks, misoprostol given vaginally, sublingually or buccally are better tolerated with fewer side effects than oral route (EL1). It is recommended to always use a cervical preparation during an instrumental abortion (Professional consensus). Misoprostol is a first-line agent for cervical preparation at a dose of 400 mcg (grade A). Aspiration evacuation is preferable to curettage (grade B). A perforated uterus during an instrumental suction should not be considered as a scarred uterus (Professional consensus). IA is not associated with increased subsequent risk of infertility or ectopic pregnancy (EL2). The pre-abortion medical consultations does not affect, most of the time, the decision to request an IA. Indeed, a majority of women is quite sure of her choice during these consultations. Acceptability of the method of IA and satisfaction appears to be larger when they are able to choose the abortion method (grade B). There is no relationship between an increase in psychiatric disorders and IA (EL2). Women with psychiatric histories are at increased risk of mental disorders after the occurrence of an UPP (EL2). In case of instrumental abortion, oral estrogen-progestogen contraceptives and the patch should be started from the day of the abortion, the vaginal ring inserted within 5 days of IA (grade B). In case of medical abortion, the vaginal ring should be inserted within a week of taking mifepristone, oral estrogen-progestogen contraceptives and the patch should be initiated on the same day or the day after taking prostaglandins (grade C). In case of instrumental abortion, the contraceptive implant may be inserted on the day of the abortion (grade B). In case of medical abortion, the implant can be inserted on the day of mifepristone (grade C). The copper Intrauterine Device (IUD) and levonorgestrel should be inserted preferably on the day of instrumental abortion (grade A). In case of medical abortion, an IUD can be inserted within 10 days following mifepristone after ensuring by ultrasound of the absence of intrauterine pregnancy (grade C). CONCLUSION: The implementation of these guidelines may promote a better and more homogenous care for women requesting IA in our country.

[Abortion law in France]. / Interruption volontaire de grossesse : le cadre juridique français.

The French law of 17 January 1975 relative to abortion, called Veil law decriminalized abortion. Since intervened many legislative changes that now allow completion of the surgical or medical abortion. This text provides an update on legislative developments and case law for practice.

[Home care of premature rupture of membranes prior to 37 weeks' gestation]. / Prise en charge à domicile des ruptures prématurées des membranes avant 37 semaines d'aménorrhée.

OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal and perinatal outcome according to gestational age at delivery and length of latency period in a group of patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes. To propose and evaluate an antenatal protocol of home care in a selected group of them. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Inclusion criteria was a delivery in our maternity related to a rupture of membranes prior to 37 week's gestation. Expectant management was applied. Home care management was proposed for patients hospitalised at least 5 days and meeting strict criteria. Maternal-fetal clinical monitoring was performed daily and biological and ultrasound monitoring weekly until 37 or 38 week's gestation. RESULTS: We included 222 patients. There was a significant increase in perinatal complications for neonates before 36 week's gestation. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were not influenced by the latency period. In the overall patients, 44 were hospitalised at least 5 days and 9 could return at home. It seems that there was no difference concerning maternal and fetal complications between home care and hospitalized patients. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In preterm premature rupture of membranes after 34 week's gestation, monitored expectant management can reduce prematurity complications without increasing infectious complications. After an initial hospitalization, for a small proportion of them, home care seems possible without increasing maternal and fetal morbidity.

Thrombophilia and fetal growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: Genetic thrombophilia may represent a new risk factor for obstetrical complications. The aim of the study was to determine which subgroups may be associated with genetic thrombophilia for small for gestational age infants (SGA). METHODS: A case-control study was performed in three different maternity wards in Normandy. Cases (n=203) were women who had pregnancies complicated by unexplained SGA infants defined as a birth weight below the 3rd centile and control subjects (n=203) were women who had infants with birth weight > or =10th centile. Patients were tested in the immediate postpartum period and 2 months later for factor V Leiden mutation, and prothrombin 20210A mutation. Frequencies of these mutations were observed in different subgroups of SGA infants depending on pregnancy or neonatal outcomes usually associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and were then compared with the overall prevalence for these mutations detected in the control group. RESULTS: Prevalences for factor V Leiden mutation (or=2.58; 95% confidence interval: 0.83-8.04), prothrombin 20210A mutation (or=2.03; 95% confidence interval: 0.51-8.01), were comparable between cases and controls (4.9% versus 1.9% and 2.9% versus 1.4%, respectively). Frequencies for these two polymorphisms significantly increased in subgroups of SGA infants with a normal Pourcelot index (13/133 versus 7/203; P=0.04), a gestational age > or =37 weeks of gestation (15/143 versus 7/203; P=0.01), a vaginal delivery (11/117 versus 7/203; P=0.04), a birth weight > or =2000 g (12/121 versus 7/203; P=0.03), no admission to paediatric ward (11/116 versus 7/203; P=0.01), a low Ponderal index <2.5(e) centile (6/45 versus 7/203; P=0.04), and normal head circumference >10th centile (7/53 versus 7/203; P=0.01) in comparison with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: An association was found between polymorphisms for factor V Leiden and prothrombin, and asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction with immediate favourable neonatal outcomes.

[Factors predictive of uterine rupture after operative hysteroscopy]. / Facteurs prédictifs de rupture utérine obstétricale après hystéroscopie opératoire.

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors predictive of uterine rupture after operative hysteroscopy. When these factors are present, to search for means to prevent a later uterine rupture. Lastly to specify criteria allowing extraction of the fetus before rupture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dramatic description of a case of uterine rupture, in a patient who presented a history of uterine perforation secondary to operative hysteroscopy and retrospective analysis of 12 similar observations reported in the literature. RESULTS: Two types of situations must be differentiated: uncomplicated hysteroscopic resection of a polyp or sub-mucous fibroid does not seem to modify the obstetrical outcome; metroplasty for uterine malformation, complex synechia resections, and uterine perforations using monopolar current section are high-risk situations predictive of uterine rupture during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Uterine ruptures secondary to operative hysteroscopy are rare but serious. They can occur before onset of labor, and compromise vital maternofetal outcome. Risk factors can be identified, but nothing can prevent natural history towards uterine rupture during pregnancy. The obstetrician's vigilance in this context must be extreme searching for the least clinical sign in favor of a pre-rupture of the uterus. Furthermore, systematic caesarean is not justified.

Unusual presentation of a left ventricular aneurysm.

We report on a case of left ventricular aneurysm in a 42-year-old woman presenting with atypical chest pains. The resting electrocardiogram showed abnormal Q and T negative waves in leads II, III, and aVF. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed an aneurysm on the posterior wall of the left ventricle. Thallium myocardial tomoscintigraphy confirmed the presence of a persistent defect with uneven uptake in the posterior wall, and coronary arteriography showed perfectly normal coronary arteries. A left ventricular aneurysm associated with normal coronary arteries and transient ischemia was diagnosed following a comparison with one of the patient's old electrocardiograms.

[Postpartum septic arthritis. Two case reports]. / Arthrites septiques du post-partum. A propos de deux cas.

Nongonococcal septic arthritis can occur during the postpartum period. We report two cases, one involving the wrist and the sacroiliac joints and the other the pubic symphysis. The difficulty of initial diagnosis in the postpartum period is emphasized. This pathology is uncommon and may begin insidiously. The sacroiliac joint is particularly at risk for postnatal sepsis, but its deep localization hinders investigations. Besides the classical obstetrical infectious assessment (blood cultures, urine culture, vaginal sample, white blood cell count and CRP) and radiological investigations, joint puncture is needed to isolate the causal infectious agent. Joint immobilization in combination with major 3-month antibiotic therapy is usually successful, generally with no sequellae.

[Clinical value of measuring systolic arterial blood pressure post-exercise for evaluation and diagnosis of coronary disease: comparative study between women and men]. / Intérêt clinique de la mesure de la pression artérielle systolique dans le post-effort pour l'évaluation et le diagnostic de la maladie coronarienne: étude comparative entre femmes et hommes.

It has been demonstrated that the ratio of the systolic blood pressure post-exercise to that at peak exercise (rSBP) is a criterion for diagnosis and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in men. No such demonstration has been attempted in women. We have compared SBP to classical signs of ischemia, such as ST segment depression and angina pectoris, in a group of 788 ambulatory patients of whom 357 were women. All underwent a bicycle ergometric test and a coronary angiogram. The prevalence of CAD at angiography was the same for both genders (women 43.5% and men 47%) with no significant difference in the number of vessels diseased. In patients with CAD, the rSBP was significantly more elevated than in others, at 1 minute (p < 0.01) and even more so at 3 minutes (p < 0.001) post-exercise, with no gender difference. The most discriminating value of rSBP at 3 minutes post-exercise for diagnosis of CAD was situated at 0.91 for sensitivity and specificity (receiver operating characteristic curve analysis). In the whole group sensitivity of rSBP is lower, while the specificity is greater than classical criteria of ischemia. The sensitivity of rSBP is poor for the diagnosis of single vessel disease, but of equal value compared to ST segment depression in the presence of multivessel disease, with no gender difference. The specificity of rSBP is higher than ST segment depression in women (p < 0.001) compared to men (p < 0.05). rSBP has a positive correlation with the number of coronary vessels diseased but not with the extent of ST segment depression. Our study demonstrates that rSBP at 3 minutes post-exercise is a less good diagnostic sign than the classical criteria of myocardial ischemia. However, rSBP has good specificity, particularly in women, thus reducing false positive tests related to ST segment depression. rSBP is also a marker of the severity of coronary artery disease.

Obstetric patients treated in intensive care units and maternal mortality. Regional Teams for the Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the frequency of serious diseases in pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN: A population based survey was performed in France. The cases were all the women admitted for treatment in intensive care unit (ICU). The severity of the cases was measured with the simplified acute physiology score (SAPS) the lethality and the rate of still birth. RESULTS: 435 obstetric patients were included. The estimated frequency of severe diseases was 310 S.D.36 per 100,000 live births. The most frequent diagnose that motived admission in ICU was hypertensive diseases. The lethality rates differed greatly between specific disorders. The lethality rate was lower when scheduled maternity was located in a teaching hospital. CONCLUSION: Regarding these results it appears that the majority of obstetric patients with severe diseases are referred to suitable care, but a small proportion of women who had to change their type of care registered a significant higher lethality.

Effect of low left ventricular ejection fractions on the outcome of primary coronary by-pass grafting in end-stage coronary artery disease.

Advanced ischemic heart disease (HID) with very low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), pulmonary hypertension (PHT) with or/without left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) are criteria for defining end-stage coronary artery disease (ESCAD). Coronary artery by-pass grafting is often denied to these patients. Between January 1990 and December 1993, 91 patients with ESCAD, significant 2 or 3-vessel disease (stenosis > or = 70%) and LVEF < or = 25% underwent primary CABG at our institutions. The mean age was 62.5 +/- 8.0 years (41-81), 89% were men. Eighty-one patients were in preoperative NYHA (New York Heart Association) functional class 3 and 4. Mean LVEF was 21.3 +/- 3.8% (10-25). Mitral regurgitation (MR) was present in 39/91 (43%). The systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) was 33.2 +/- 17.1 mmHg (11-75) and the wedge pressure was 19.0 +/- 10.8 mmHg (5-47). Twenty-two patients had significant PHT with a systolic PAP > or = 40 mmHg. The overall perioperative mortality was 14.3% (13/91). Low postoperative cardiac output occurred in 33 patients, requiring intraaortic balloon support in 13. Gastrointestinal complications occurred in 6 patients and neurological events in one. Fifteen patients had additional left ventricular aneurysm repair. There was a good correlation between LVEF and PAP (r = 0.782). Surprisingly, in a subset of patients with preoperative PHT and LVEF < or = 25% the mortality rate was only 4.6% (1/22). Other perioperative complications did not differ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Separation of the symphysis, an unrecognized complication of delivery. A case report]. / La disjonction symphysaire, une complication méconnue de l'accouchement. A propos d'un cas.

Post-partum abdominal pain is common. Separation of the pubic symphysis is one cause. Diagnosis is based upon clinical and ultrasonographic findings. Bed rest is often satisfactory treatment.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the fetus: a study of 20 cases performed without curarization.

Twenty patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a mean gestational age of 32 weeks. There were 12 patients with suspected fetal brain abnormality and four with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), while the remaining four cases were studied for other reasons. The MRI examinations were performed on a 0.5 Tesla machine, with surface coils. One minute acquisition time T1 sequences were used. All the studies were performed without fetal curarization, and only under maternal sedation using flunitrazepam given per os 1 h before MRI examination. Three examinations were incomplete because of fetal movement artefacts. In the remaining cases, MRI allowed the examination of fetal brain anatomy. In five cases, it helped to differentiate isolated hydrocephalus and corpus callosum agenesis. Sub-ependymal nodules were depicted in a case of fetal tuberous sclerosis. One suspected arachnoid cyst was proved to be an ultrasound artefact. Decreased fetal fat on MR images was correlated with low birth weight in cases of IUGR. Due to its better spatial resolution, ultrasonography was more accurate for the diagnosis of facial and lumbar anomalies. Fetal MRI may be performed without curarization. Surface coils allow the detailed analysis of brain parenchyma, and thus MRI is especially useful in the difficult prenatal diagnosis of fetal brain abnormalities.

Nonsurgical treatment of heterotopic pregnancy: a report of six cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate nonsurgical management of heterotopic pregnancy. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Antoine Béclère Hospital, Clamart, France, Paris-Sud University). PATIENTS: Six women with heterotopic pregnancy who conceived in four cases after ovulation induction. INTERVENTION: Transvaginal ultrasound (US)-guided aspiration/injection of potassium chloride (KCl) was performed in three cornual pregnancies with alive embryo. Expectant management was realized in three other cases. The regression was followed by serial US examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Early and late complications related to the procedure, outcome of intrauterine pregnancy (IUP). RESULTS: Five of six patients were treated successfully (3 with KCl and 2 after expectant management). Three of these five patients had a spontaneous vaginal delivery, and two abortions occurred in the remaining two patients. Salpingectomy had to be performed in one case 10 days after medical treatment. This twin pregnancy ended with an abortion at 23 weeks of amenorrhea. Four cornual heterotopic pregnancies were treated successfully. No complication occurred after the initial management. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound permits a reliable and early diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy. In such cases nonsurgical management is an efficient alternative with a good IUP prognosis.

[Must we still operate on ectopic pregnancies?]. / Faut-il encore opérer les GEU?

Non surgical management of ectopic pregnancy has recently become an alternative to surgery. We have investigated a pretherapeutic score to define the indication for non-surgical and surgical treatment in 123 patients with ectopic pregnancy. The score was performed before the patients' inclusion in a non-surgical management scheme. The score used six criteria which were evaluated on a scale from 1 to 3: gestational age, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) level, progesterone level, abdominal pain, haemoperitoneum volume and haematosalpinx diameter (estimated by laparoscopy or transvaginal ultrasound). Three scores, 10, 11 and 12 were studied in order to define a threshold beyond which surgical treatment should be performed. For each one, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were analysed. The success rate of non-surgical treatment was 82.1% (101/123). For patients undergoing medical treatment with a score < or = 12, the success rate was significantly higher compared with a success rate of 56% when the score was > 12. We conclude that a score < or = 12 permits non-surgical management with a success rate of 87%. A score > 12 indicates that laparoscopic surgery may be more suitable. The choice between different non-surgical approaches, did not influence the success rate. When ultrasound reveals embryo heart activity, medical treatment is always possible if the score is < or = 12.

[Gestational age and fetal lung maturity]. / Age gestationnel et maturité pulmonaire foetale.

In order to assess the lung maturity of the fetus, a biochemical analysis using two reliable, simple and rapid methods (FLM-TDX Abbott and determination of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) have been carried out on 166 amniotic fluids taken by amniocentesis. The patients were particularly pregnant women presenting disorders such as diabetes (n = 41), premature rupture of the membranes (n = 30), hypertension (n = 20), intra uterine growth retardation (n = 13) and gemellar pregnancies (n = 27). The lung maturity of the fetus has been considered as mature (no risk of any hyaline membrane disease: HMD) when the phospholipid rate is higher than 50 mg/g albumin (FLM-TDX Abbott), associated or not with the presence of PG (PG positive). The latter phospholipid was present only in women whose pregnancy was about 35 weeks. Besides, our results show a very large disparity of the phospholipid rates (FLM-TDX) in the amniotic samples for an identical gestational age. Values from 9 to 124 for pregnancies with term of 31 weeks, and from 21 to higher than 160 for those of 38 weeks. In infants born not later than 48 hours after the amniotic punction (n = 30), four of them presented an HMD. The FLM-TDX values were less than 30 for three cases and equal to 52 for the fourth. The term of these newborns was 37 weeks or more for three of them, and 31 weeks for the last one. Our study confirm that the TDX-FLM Abbott is useful to assess the fetal lung maturity and does not correlate with the gestational age.

[Medical and ethical problems posed by the prenatal diagnosis of distal absence of a limb]. / Problèmes médicaux et éthiques posés par le diagnostic anténatal d'une amputation distale d'un membre.

Eight cases of distal amputation of limb are reported. The diagnosis were made by ultrasound scans at 18-25 weeks of amenorrhea. In all cases, according to the French law, our team of fetal medicine refused the therapeutic terminations of pregnancy requested by the parents. The therapeutic terminations of pregnancy were achieved by another unit of fetal medicine in France, or in another country. These reported cases address many questions about the aim of fetal medicine (therapeutic terminations of pregnancy or treatment of infants), the place of the parents request in the decision, the different decision arguments, and the variations in the decision between different fetal medicine crew facing to similar prenatal diagnosis.

[Chorioangioma of the placenta. Echographic, radiologic and anatomo-pathologic correlations]. / Le chorioangiome placentaire. Corrélations échographiques, radiologiques et anatomo-pathologiques.

Chorangioma, one of the most frequent placental tumors, is associated with an important perinatal morbidity and mortality. We describe the case of a pregnant woman in whom this tumor was diagnosed during a routine obstetric investigation. The originality of our report is a strong and clear correlation between echographic, radiologic and histopathological findings. To avoid its obstetric and perinatal dramatic complications, we review the main echographic patterns allowing an early diagnosis of chorangioma.