Assessment of fetal cardiac functions in pregnant women with anemia: prospective, case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the fetal cardiac functions between pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and healthy controls. METHODS: This single-center, prospective, case-control study was conducted at a tertiary hospital. A total of 150 patients, including 50 patients with IDA and 100 healthy pregnant women at 30-34 weeks of gestation, were included in the study. Of the patients with anemia, 20 had mild anemia, 18 had moderate anemia, and 12 had severe anemia. Pulsed-wave Doppler, M-mode, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were performed to evaluate fetal cardiac functions. The fetal cardiac score was calculated using the systolic, diastolic, and global hemodynamic function parameters. RESULTS: The myocardial performance index and isovolumetric relaxation time were significantly higher in the IDA group than the control group, while isovolumetric contraction time was similar. Among the tricuspid and mitral valve diastolic parameters, the E, A, and E/A values were significantly lower in the IDA group (p<0.001). Mitral and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursions (MAPSE and TAPSE, respectively) were significantly lower in the IDA group (p<0.001). The IDA group also had significantly lower values for the TDI parameters, mitral and tricuspid E', A', S', E'/A' and a significantly higher E/E' ratio (p<0.001). Upon examination of anemia subgroups, a significant decrease was observed in the tricuspid and mitral A, E, and E/A in those with severe anemia (p<0.001). M-mode Doppler analysis revealed significantly lower TAPSE and MAPSE in the patient group with severe anemia. According to the subgroup comparison of TDI findings, the patients with severe anemia had significantly lower tricuspid and mitral E', A', S' and E'/A' (p<0.001) values and a significantly higher E/E' ratio (p<0.001). The fetal cardiac score was significantly higher in the maternal IDA group compared to the control group. A significant negative correlation was found between maternal hemoglobin level and fetal cardiac score (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There may be changes in the systolic and diastolic cardiac functions of the fetuses of pregnant women with IDA. This study showed an increased E/E' ratio in the fetuses of pregnant women with IDA, suggesting a decrease in fetal heart maturation. Within the IDA group, fetal cardiac functions were more affected in those with severe anemia. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The audiological and take results of perichondrium attached cartilage island graft in tympanoplasty: PACIT.

Cartilage is one of the most preferable grafts for tympanoplasty (TPL). The anatomical and audiological results and take rates of perichondrium attached cartilage island graft in tympanoplasty (PACIT) are presented herein. One hundred ninety four ears of 191 patients (108 male, 83 female) were evaluated retrospectively in terms of the type of surgery, graft take rate and hearing results. Type I, II, and III TPL were performed in 127 (65.46%), 45 (23.20%), and 22 (11.34%) ears, respectively. The overall mean preoperative pure tone average-air bone gaps (PTA-ABGs) for TPL types were 33.74 ± 9.60, 52.58 ± 9.07, and 56.58 ± 10.27 dB HL, respectively; postoperative mean values for TPL groups were 18.55 ± 9.25, 31.21 ± 4.36, and 44.84 ± 12.45 dB HL. Postoperative hearing results showed an improvement (≥ 10 dB) in 76.81% of ears with a mean gain of 20 dB HL (range 10-40 dB). However, 19.07% of ears showed no change (< 10, ≥ 0 dB) in hearing, and hearing worsened in 4.12% of ears (< 0 dB) postoperatively. Overall, graft take was 91.24% at least 13 months (mean 68.64) after surgery with a graft failure rate of 8.76%. Graft take was successful in TPL groups. Postoperative PTA-ABG results demonstrated significant improvement. The long-term eligibility of perichondrium attached cartilage island graft in TPL is emphasised with this study.

Patients` evaluation for the surgical management of nasal obstruction.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Surgery for nasal obstruction is performed to give a subjective benefit. We aimed to evaluate the surgical management of the nasal obstruction in the patient`s perception. METHODS OF STUDY: The study was performed prospectively with 134 patients over the age of 18. They were allotted to three groups according to the level of nasal obstruction by clinical examination. The G1 group had only a deviated nasal septum (DNS), G2 had DNS and hypertrophy of inferior turbinates, and G3 had nasal valve problems in conjunction with DNS. All the patients had surgery focused on obstructive pathologies. The study was conducted using three different scoring systems to determine the patients` evaluation of the surgical procedures. RESULTS: The study included more man than woman, with a mean age around 28 (wide range). Twenty six patients were in G1, 73 patients in G2 and 35 patients in G3. Total and general Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) scores for each group showed improvement postoperatively. There was a significant difference between the groups for general GBI score, and Post-hoc test showed that the improvement of G1 was greater than of G3. The influence of the surgery on physical health, psycho-social function and social interaction scores for each group showed no changes postoperatively. There was a significant improvement in all Nasal Obstruction Septoplasty Effectiveness (NOSE) scores and Likert Scale scores for each group. The improvement of G1 and G2 were greater than G3 on the Likert Scale. CONCLUSION: Surgical management targeted to the region of obstruction improves symptoms and benefit in the patient`s perception.