BACKGROUND: Aortic intramural hemorrhage (IMH), which presents clinical manifestations identical to acute aortic dissection, is suggested to have different pathology and pathophysiology. The purposes of this study were to diagnose IMH by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) prospectively and to compare clinical and echocardiographic outcome of IMH with those of aortic dissection. METHODS: Between August 1991 and November 1996, 27 IMH and 73 acute aortic dissection were diagnosed using TEE in 202 consecutive patients with suspected aortic dissection. TEE diagnoses of IMH and aortic dissection were initially compared with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and later confirmed by operative findings (n=39) or follow-up changes (n=12). RESULTS: In the 49 patients whose diagnosis was confirmed by operation or follow-up changes, the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of IMH were 27 of 27 (100%) and 20 of 22 (91%), respectively. There were 11 deaths (15%) in acute aortic dissection and 1 death (4%) in IMH during follow-up of 1.7+/-1.5 years (p=NS). Stanford classification and types of treatment were not related to death in both groups. Complications were less frequently noted in IMH (3/27) than in acute aortic dissection (24/73) (p<0.001) and no death occurred in uncomplicated IMH who were medically treated. Follow-up study of 12 IMH patients showed 8 complete resolution, 3 regression, 1 progression. CONCLUSION: TEE is very useful in diagnosis of IMH and IMH has better outcome than the aortic dissection due to absence of communication and intimal tear.
Classification ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pathology ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: Aortic intramural hemorrhage (IMH), which presents clinical manifestations identical to acute aortic dissection, is suggested to have different pathology and pathophysiology. The purposes of this study were to diagnose IMH by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) prospectively and to compare clinical and echocardiographic outcome of IMH with those of aortic dissection. METHODS: Between August 1991 and November 1996, 27 IMH and 73 acute aortic dissection were diagnosed using TEE in 202 consecutive patients with suspected aortic dissection. TEE diagnoses of IMH and aortic dissection were initially compared with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and later confirmed by operative findings (n=39) or follow-up changes (n=12). RESULTS: In the 49 patients whose diagnosis was confirmed by operation or follow-up changes, the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of IMH were 27 of 27 (100%) and 20 of 22 (91%), respectively. There were 11 deaths (15%) in acute aortic dissection and 1 death (4%) in IMH during follow-up of 1.7+/-1.5 years (p=NS). Stanford classification and types of treatment were not related to death in both groups. Complications were less frequently noted in IMH (3/27) than in acute aortic dissection (24/73) (p<0.001) and no death occurred in uncomplicated IMH who were medically treated. Follow-up study of 12 IMH patients showed 8 complete resolution, 3 regression, 1 progression. CONCLUSION: TEE is very useful in diagnosis of IMH and IMH has better outcome than the aortic dissection due to absence of communication and intimal tear.
Classification ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pathology ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the short-term effects of a lifestyle modification intervention based on a mobile application (app) linked to a hospital electronic medical record (EMR) system on weight reduction and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: We prospectively enrolled adults (aged >20 years) with witnessed snoring or sleep apnea from a sleep clinic. The patients were randomized into the app user (n=24) and control (n=23) groups. The mobile app was designed to collect daily lifestyle data by wearing a wrist activity tracker and reporting dietary intake. A summary of the lifestyle data was displayed on the hospital EMR and was reviewed. In the control group, the lifestyle modification was performed as per usual practice. All participants underwent peripheral arterial tonometry (WatchPAT) and body mass index (BMI) measurements at baseline and after 4 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: Age and BMI did not differ significantly between the two groups. While we observed a significant decrease in the BMI of both groups, the decrease was greater in the app user group (P < 0.001). Apnea-hypopnea index, respiratory distress index, and oxygenation distress index did not change significantly in both groups. However, the proportion of sleep spent snoring at >45 dB was significantly improved in the app user group alone (P =0.014). In either group, among the participants with successful weight reduction, the apnea-hypopnea index was significantly reduced after 4 weeks (P =0.015). Multiple regression analyses showed that a reduction in the apnea-hypopnea index was significantly associated with BMI. CONCLUSION: Although a short-term lifestyle modification approach using a mobile app was more effective in achieving weight reduction, improvement in OSA was not so significant. Long-term efficacy of this mobile app should be evaluated in the future studies.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Electronic Health Records ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Life Style* ; Manometry ; Mobile Applications ; Obesity* ; Oxygen ; Prospective Studies ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Smartphone* ; Snoring ; Weight Loss ; Wrist

OBJECTIVE: To assess the fetal loss rate among dichorionic twin gestations undergoing genetic amniocentesis compared with singletons undergoing the procedure and untested twins. METHODS: From January 2002 through December 2004, total 132 pregnant women with dichorionic twin gestation with mid-trimester amniocentesis at Hospital were included in this study. In control group, 595 women with untested dichorionic twins during the same period and 402 women with singleton pregnancies with amniocentesis performed by the same physician at the same date of study group were selected. Excluded were fetuses with known structural anomalies, cases in which amniocentesis was done in only one fetus, and cases of which pregnancies were terminated due to fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Fetal loss was defined as the loss of both fetuses and subdivided into two categories: within 4 weeks after amniocentesis and before 28 gestational weeks. RESULTS: Up to 4 weeks after the procedure, one case (0.75%) in the tested twin group, two cases in post-procedure singleton group (0.49%, P=.729), and eight cases in the untested twin control group (1.34%, P=.581) were aborted spontaneously. Up to 28 gestational weeks, four fetal losses occurred in post-amniocentesis twins (3.03%), sixteen cases in untested twins (2.69%, P=.83), and two cases in the singleton pregnancies with amniocentesis (0.49%, P=.017). CONCLUSION: The risk of fetal loss in twin underwent mid-trimester amniocentesis appears to be higher than that of tested singletons in this study. However, there was no significant difference in the fetal loss rates between amniocentesis twin group and untested twin group.
Amniocentesis* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Pregnant Women

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether maternal serum (MS) and amniotic fluid (AF) inhibin A levels are elevated in patients who subsequently develop severe preecalmpsia, and to investigate the correlation between MS and AF inhibin A levels in the second trimester. The study included 40 patients who subsequently developed severe preecalmpsia and 80 normal pregnant women. Inhibin A levels in MS and AF were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The MS and AF inhibin A levels in patients who developed severe preeclampsia were significantly higher than those in the control group (both for p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between MS and AF inhibin A levels in patients who developed severe preeclampsia (r=0.397, p=0.011), but not in the control group (r=0.185, p=0.126). The best cutoff values of MS and AF inhibin A levels for the prediction of severe preeclampsia were 427 pg/mL and 599 pg/mL, respectively; the estimated ORs that were associated with these cut-off values were 9.95 (95% CI 3.8-25.9, p<0.001) and 6.0 (95% CI 2.3-15.8, p<0.001). An elevated level of inhibin A in MS and AF at the time of second trimester amniocentesis may be a risk factor for the subsequent development of severe preeclampsia.
Risk Factors ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy ; Pre-Eclampsia/*blood/*metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Maternal Age ; Inhibins/*biosynthesis/*blood ; Humans ; Gestational Age ; Female ; Case-Control Studies ; Amniotic Fluid/*metabolism ; Amniocentesis ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk of Down syndrome in fetuses with sonographic markers using the likelihood ratios and individual risk assessment. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the midtrimester genetic sonographic features of fetuses with Down syndrome and compared them with euploid fetuses. Patients were referred for an increased risk of aneuploidy and evaluated for the presence of structural defects, a nuchal fold, short long bones, pyelectasis, brachycephaly, small stomach, and hyperechoic bowel. Outcome information included the results of genetic amniocentesis (if performed), the results of pediatric assessment, and follow-up after birth. The sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios for markers ware calculated isolated findings. RESULTS: There were 59 fetuses with Down syndrome and 600 euploid fetuses. The presence of any marker resulted in sensitivity for the detection of Down syndrome of 86.4% with a false-positive rate of 13.6%. Structural defect had a likelihood ratio of 77.8. As an isolated marker, the nuchal fold, short humerus, short femur, echogenic bowel and renal pyelectasia has a likelihood ratio of 20.2, 12.7, 3.9, 2.5, 1.1 respectively. Other isolated markers had low likelihood ratios because of the higher prevalence in the unaffected population. CONCLUSION: Combining second-trimester serum testing and fetal sonography is a feasible approach to Down syndrome screening, compatible with current obstetric practice. Although an isolated marker with a low likelihood ratio may not increase a patient's risk of Down syndrome, the presence of such a marker precludes reducing the risk of aneuploidy. This information will be useful in counseling pregnant women who are at high risk for fetal Down syndrome and who prefer to undergo genetic sonography before deciding about genetic amniocentesis.
Amniocentesis ; Aneuploidy ; Counseling ; Craniosynostoses ; Down Syndrome* ; Echogenic Bowel ; Female ; Femur ; Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus ; Mass Screening* ; Nuchal Translucency Measurement ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Prevalence ; Pyelectasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk of Down syndrome in fetuses with sonographic markers using the likelihood ratios and individual risk assessment. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the midtrimester genetic sonographic features of fetuses with Down syndrome and compared them with euploid fetuses. Patients were referred for an increased risk of aneuploidy and evaluated for the presence of structural defects, a nuchal fold, short long bones, pyelectasis, brachycephaly, small stomach, and hyperechoic bowel. Outcome information included the results of genetic amniocentesis (if performed), the results of pediatric assessment, and follow-up after birth. The sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios for markers ware calculated isolated findings. RESULTS: There were 59 fetuses with Down syndrome and 600 euploid fetuses. The presence of any marker resulted in sensitivity for the detection of Down syndrome of 86.4% with a false-positive rate of 13.6%. Structural defect had a likelihood ratio of 77.8. As an isolated marker, the nuchal fold, short humerus, short femur, echogenic bowel and renal pyelectasia has a likelihood ratio of 20.2, 12.7, 3.9, 2.5, 1.1 respectively. Other isolated markers had low likelihood ratios because of the higher prevalence in the unaffected population. CONCLUSION: Combining second-trimester serum testing and fetal sonography is a feasible approach to Down syndrome screening, compatible with current obstetric practice. Although an isolated marker with a low likelihood ratio may not increase a patient's risk of Down syndrome, the presence of such a marker precludes reducing the risk of aneuploidy. This information will be useful in counseling pregnant women who are at high risk for fetal Down syndrome and who prefer to undergo genetic sonography before deciding about genetic amniocentesis.
Amniocentesis ; Aneuploidy ; Counseling ; Craniosynostoses ; Down Syndrome* ; Echogenic Bowel ; Female ; Femur ; Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus ; Mass Screening* ; Nuchal Translucency Measurement ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Prevalence ; Pyelectasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between increased nuchal translucency (NT) and abnormal pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: From January 1999 to December 2001, The 298 fetuses of increased nuchal translucency (>or=2.5 mm) in period of 10-14 weeks gestation were reviewed retrospectively. Amniocentesis and high resolution ultrasonography during second trimester were done for all cases. We analyzed septation within NT, karyotypes, structural anomalies, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as spontaneous abortion, intrauterine fetal death and preterm delivery. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 30.5 +/- 3.5 years. The mean gestational age and CRL were 12.5 +/- 0.95 weeks and 6.5 +/- 1.15 mm. We observed 18 (6%) cases of abnormal karyotypes. 7/46 (15.2%) fetuses with internal septation had abnormal karyotype and 11/252 (4.4%) fetuses without internal septation had abnormal karyotype (p=0.013). Among the 280 fetuses with normal karyotype, 8 (2.8%) fetuses had structural anomalies and 18 (6.4%) fetuses had adverse pregnancy outcomes. The chromosomal abnormality and structural anomaly were significantly increased in the group of nuchal translucency thickness above 3.5 mm (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased nuchal translucency is related with chromosomal abnormality and abnormal pregnancy outcomes.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; Amniocentesis ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Nuchal Translucency Measurement* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

The aim of present study was to establish normative data for the distribution of nuchal translucency (NT) thickness in normal Korean fetuses. The data were collected from pregnant women with singleton pregnancies in whom fetal ultrasound was performed and the fetal NT thickness was measured between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation. Among them, a total of 2,577 fetuses with a known normal outcome were included in this study. The distribution of multiple of median (MoM) values of the NT thickness with crown-rump length (CRL) in 10-mm intervals and the 95th percentile of MoM were calculated with the linear regression method. The present study showed that NT measurements increase with increasing CRL and a false positive rate increases with increasing gestational age. Therefore, a fixed cut-off point through the first trimester was not appropriate and each NT measurement should be examined according to the gestational age. The present study offers normative data of the fetal NT thickness in a Korean population, which can be used as reference for screening chromosomal aberrations or other congenital abnormalities in the first trimester.
Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Crown-Rump Length ; Female ; Fetus/*physiology ; *Gestational Age ; Human ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal