Correlation of immune activation during late pregnancy and early postpartum with increases in plasma HIV RNA, CD4/CD8 T cells, and serum activation markers.
(2/52)
Short and long-term outcome of pregnant women with preexisting dilated cardiomypathy: an NTproBNP and echocardiography-guided study.
(3/52)
BACKGROUND: Little is known of the outcome of pregnant patients with previously diagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy. These patients are usually firmly advised against continuation of the pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: To examine the usefulness of serial echocardiographic follow-up and plasma N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide levels in the management of pregnant women with preexisting DCM. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled pregnant women with DCM either known or diagnosed in the first trimester. Clinical examination and serial echocardiography studies were performed at baseline, at 30 weeks gestation, peripartum, and 3 and 18 months postpartum. Blinded NTproBNP levels were obtained at 30 weeks, at delivery and 3 months postpartum. RESULTS: Between June 2005 and October 2006 we enrolled seven women who fulfilled the study criteria. Delivery and postpartum were complicated in 3 patients (42%): 2 with acute heart failure, which resolved conservatively, and 1 with major pulmonary embolism. The left ventricular ejection fraction was stable throughout the pregnancy (35% +/- 2.8 at baseline, 33% +/- 2.9 at 30 weeks) and postpartum (35% +/- 2.8 at 1 day, 34% +/- 3.1 at 90 days). Similar stable behavior was observed regarding left ventricular dimensions: LV end-systolic diameters 43.3 +/- 2.7 mm and LV end-diastolic diameters 57.3 +/- 3.3 mm at baseline compared with 44.1 +/- 3.1 mm and 58.7 +/- 3.1 mm postpartum, respectively. The NTproBNP levels rose significantly peripartum in all three patients with complications. CONCLUSIONS: Serial NTproBNP levels, as compared to echocardiography, may be a better clinical tool in monitoring and management of pregnant women with preexisting DCM. An early rise in NTproBNP level appears to predict the occurrence of adverse events. (+info)
Pregnancy and diabetes management: advances and controversies.
(4/52)
Case report and mini literature review: anesthetic management for severe peripartum cardiomyopathy complicated with preeclampsia using sufetanil in combined spinal epidural anesthesia.
(5/52)
Poor prepregnancy and antepartum mental health predicts postpartum mental health problems among US women: a nationally representative population-based study.
(6/52)
Acute and critically ill peripartum cardiomyopathy and 'bridge to' therapeutic options: a single center experience with intra-aortic balloon pump, extra corporeal membrane oxygenation and continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.
(7/52)