Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between mid-trimester ultrasound fetal liver length (FLL) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a high-risk population. Methods: A prospective study was performed in 331 women with singleton pregnancies who were at high risk of GDM and were undergoing a midtrimester ultrasound examination. The ultrasound scan at 23 weeks gestation was followed by a 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24 weeks gestation. Correlations between FLL and OGTT results at different time points were tested. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of FLL as a potential prognostic factor for GDM was also performed. Results: In GDM patients, there was a significant positive correlation (P < 0.01) between FLL and OGTT glycemia immediately before and 60, 120, and 180 min after glucose intake. Mean FLL in GDM was significantly higher than in healthy subjects (41.04 vs 31.09 mm, respectively; P < 0.001). When tested as a potential prognostic factor for GDM, fetal liver measurements showed excellent diagnostic performance. The ROC analysis established a cut-off value of FLL of 39 mm for the prediction GDM, with sensitivity of 71.76%, specificity 97.56%, positive predictive value 91.0%, and negative predictive value 90.9%. The usefulness of FLL measurements was supported by a high area under the ROC curve (90.5%). Conclusion: In conclusion, there is a strong correlation between FLL and OGTT results, with FLL possibly serving as a valid marker for the prediction of GDM in high-risk populations.
An improved 10 Fr version of the atrial septal defect (ASD) occlusion system consisting of two umbrellas for transvenous introduction over the long veno-arterial guide-wire was used to attempt closure in five adult patients with large defects (26-35 mm). The umbrellas are made of nitinol wire frame and a thin membrane of microporous polyurethane. Supported by the metal cannula and guided by selective left atriography, the umbrellas of 45-60 mm were placed individually into the atria and screwed together at the septum level by means of a torquer catheter. Positioning and screwing on, unscrewing, separating, and repositioning the umbrellas up to 17 times were needed to anchor the prosthesis correctly in a patient. The prosthesis could be implanted primarily in all patients (in one at second session). Dislodgement of a 60 mm prosthesis and left atrial perforation with a 55 mm prosthesis required surgery in two patients 8 hours and 2 weeks post procedure, respectively. A single umbrella-arm fracture was noticed in one patient 4 months after the implantation. All five patients were free of symptoms at follow-up after 7-10 months. Transcatheter closure of large ASDs is technically feasible with this system. The morbidity is mainly associated with the implantation of very large umbrellas.
A new device for transcatheter closure of heart defects was constructed and used to close a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in seven adult patients and an atrial septal defect (ASD) in six adult patients. The device consisted of two self-opening umbrellas and a piece of Ivalon. A Dacron patch was sewn on the "male" umbrella for the ASD closure. The device required a 9 Fr introducing venous sheath for PDA and a 14 Fr sheath for the ASD. The venoarterial (right femoral vein-PDA or ASD-left femoral artery) long wire track was arranged. The "male" umbrella and the Ivalon were inserted transvenously one after another, advanced over the long wire across the PDA or ASD and extruded into the aorta or left atrium, respectively. The "female" umbrella was advanced transvenously over the long wire into the pulmonary artery (for PDA) or into the right atrium (for ASD). The metal conus on the long wire was used to pull the "male" umbrella while a special stiff pusher was used to bring the "female" umbrella to the "male" umbrella along the long wire. By these means the umbrellas interlocked at the defect level and closed it. The long wire was then removed through the left femoral artery. Protrusion of the interlocked device through the PDA occurred in one patient and through the ASD in two patients. In all three patients the device was kept on the wire until surgery and an early postrelease device embolization was avoided. In all other patients the defects were successfully closed. The follow-up of 3-27 months was uneventful in all patients. These results indicate that the described procedure is effective and safe, and warrants further clinical trial.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.