Objective To study the expression of endothelin-1(ET-1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) mRNA in the villus of pre-eclampsia and the effect of the ET-1 and eNOS on umbilical artery flow velocity wareforms. Methods Dot blotting, DIG-labeled human ET-1 and eNOS cDNA probes were used to examine the expression of the ET-1 and eNOS gene in the placental villus tissues of women with normal gestation and pre-eclampsia. Leica QWIN image disposal and analysis system were used to assess the mean OD of every dot. Colour doppler was used to examine the umbilical artery flow the day before childbirth. Results The level of ET-1 mRNA in placental villus was significantly higher in pre-eclampsia group than the normal group(0.43?0.03 versus 0.23?0.44,P

Gestational hyperlipidemic pancreatitis is an uncommon complication of pregnancy that incurs a high risk of morbidity and mortality of both maternal and fetal patients.We described the response of continous renal replacement therapy in a woman with extreme gestational hyperlipidemia and severe pancreatitis.Five consecutive plasma exchanges didn't lead to a remarkable reduction(10.4% and 4.8%,for the first and fourth times,respectively) at triglyceride levels as the literatures have reported,which reveals that plasma exchange and continous veno-venous heamofiltration may be importment,instead of crucial methods in dealing with gestational hyperlipidemic pancreatitis.Abstract:SUMM ARY Gestational hyperlipidem ic pancreatitis is an uncommon complication of pregnancy that in-curs a high risk ofmorbid ity and mortality of both maternal and fetal patients.W e described the response of continous renal replacement therapy in a woman with extreme gestational hyperlipidem ia and severe pancreatitis.Five consecutive plasma exchanges d idn’t lead to a remarkable reduction(10.4% and 4.8%,for the first and fourth times,respectively) at triglyceride levels as the literatures have reported,which reveals that plasma exchange and continous veno-venous heamofiltration may be importment,in-stead of crucialmethods in dealing with gestational hyperlipidem ic pancreatitis.

Objective To evaluate the placental characteristics in monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancy with selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR). Methods Fifty-five placentas from women with MC twin pregnancy were included, who had terminated pregnancy in the Peking University Third Hospital between June 1, 2013 and June 1, 2014, including 23 cases with sFGR and 32 uncomplicated cases as control group. We perfused the placentas within 24 h after delivery, and pigment of four different colors was used to perfuse the umbilical arteries and veins of both twins and determine the types of vascular anastomosis. Umbilical cord insertion, placental territory discordance (PTD, the territory difference between two placentas/the bigger one), and the type, number and diameter of placental superficial vascular anastomosis were analyzed using two independent samples t-test, nonparametric test,χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. Results The PTD was 0.60(0.10-0.80) vs 0.22(0.00-0.90) in sFGR group and control group (Z=-3.913) respectively, and the proportion of placenta with uneven share was 91.3%(21/23) vs 50.0%(16/32) (Fisher's exact test), which were significantly higher in sFGR group (both P < 0.01). The proportion of non-central cord insertion was 82.6% (19/23), 13.0% (3/23) and 40.6% (26/64), respectively, in smaller fetus of sFGR, bigger fetus of sFGR and control group, which was significantly higher in smaller fetus of sFGR than in the other two groups (Fisher's exact test, both P < 0.01). The proportion of arterioarterial (AA), arteriovenous (AV) and venovenous (VV) anastomosis in sFGR group and control group was 78.3%(18/23) vs 75.0%(24/32), 82.6%(19/23) vs 71.9%(23/32), and 17.4%(4/23) vs 15.6%(5/32);there were no significant differences between two groups (Fisher's exact test,all P>0.05). The number of AA, AV and VV anastomosis in sFGR group and control group was 1.0 (0.0-2.0) vs 1.0 (0.0-4.0), 3.0 (0.0-10.0) vs 2.0 (0.0-5.0), and 0.0 (0.0-1.0) vs 0.0 (0.0-3.0) (Z=-0.256, -0.142 and -0.123);the total diameter of AA, AV and VV anastomosis was 2.7 (0.0-7.0) vs 2.2 (0.0-9.7), 4.0 (0.0-13.7) vs 3.4 (0.0-11.5), and 0.0 (0.0-7.9) vs 0.0 (0.0-7.1) mm (Z=-0.070, -0.087 and -0.087);there were no significant differences between two groups (all P>0.05). The total number of all anastomosis was 3.5 (0.0-10.0) vs 3.5 (0.0-6.0) (Z= - 0.567); the total diameter of all anastomosis was 6.9 (0.0-22.4) vs 5.9 (0.0-17.1) mm (Z= - 0.556); there were no significant differences between two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions Placental sharing discordance and non-central cord insertion may be the risk factors for MC pregnancies complicated with sFGR.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcome and placental characteristics of spontaneous twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (sTAPS). Methods Twelve cases with sTAPS delivered in Peking University Third Hospital from May 2013 to August 2016. The data of ultrasound characteristics, gestational age at delivery, and 1 minute Apgar score were analyzed,retrospectively. Placental superficial vascular anastomoses, placental territory discordance and the ratio of umbilical cords insertion distance to the longest placental diameter were also analyzed. Results (1) Only 1 case of sTAPS was diagnosed prenatally, the others were diagnosed postnatally because the fetal middle cerebral artery(MCA) doppler was not measured regularly. Five cases were complicated with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR). The median gestational age at delivery was 32.8 weeks(31-37 weeks). The pregnancies were terminated because 3 cases were sIUGR typeⅠ, 1 case was sIUGR type Ⅱ, 1 case was sIUGR type Ⅲ, 2 cases were fetal distress, 2 cases were severe pre-eclampsia, 2 cases were premature rupture of membrane, 1 case was fetal hydrops with abnormal doppler waveforms of ductus venouses. (2) When 5 sIUGR cases were excluded, there was no difference between the twins in birth weight [1797 g(940-2620 g),1648 g(980-2500 g);P=0.688]. The hemoglobin (Hb) level in all donor was significantly lower than recipient(P=0.000)and the inter-twin Hb difference was 147.6 g/L (84.0-216.0 g/L). While the reticulocyte percentage in donor was significantly higher than recipient (P=0.013) and reticulocyte percentage ratio was 3.60 (1.04-7.50). Five donor newborns had neonatal asphyxia, including 1 severe asphyxia, while no asphyxia happened in the recipient twins. (3) Arterio-arterial (A-A) anastomoses, veno-venous (V-V) anastomoses, arterio-venous (A-V) anastomoses were found in 3, 1 and 11 placentas, respectively. The total number of anastomoses was 2 (1-5) and the total diameter was 1.1 mm (0.4-2.1 mm), including 0 (0-1) A-A anastomoses with 0.2 mm (0.0-0.9 mm) in diameter and 2 (0-5) A-V anastomoses with 0.7 mm (0.0-2.1 mm) in diameter. The placental territory discordance was 0.17 (0.02-0.40) and the ratio of umbilical cords insertion to the longest placental diameter was 0.82 (0.34-0.99). Conclusions The pathogenesis of sTAPS might result from slow and chronic blood transfusion from donor to recipient through a few minuscule vascular anastomoses in the placenta. In all monochorionic twins, especially sIUGR cases, MCA doppler should be monitored closely in the second and third trimester, in order to diagnose and manage sTAPS in time.

Objective To compare the outcomes of selective feticide by umbilical cord ligation (UCL),bipolar cord coagulation (BCC) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of complicated monochorionic twins.Methods We retrospectively analyzed all cases of complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies treated at Peking University Third Hospital from August 2008 to December 2014.The indications for surgery included severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS),selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) (type Ⅱ and Ⅲ),twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (TRAP) or discordant anomaly.One-way ANOVA,LSD t test,Mann-Whitney U test,Chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis.Results (1) A total of 68 patients chose selective feticide by different techniques,including fetoscopic UCL (n=18,UCL group) and ultrasound-guided RFA (n=46,RFA group).The other four patients treated by bipolar cord coagulation (BCC) were excluded.The maternal age,proportion of assisted reproductive technology,indications,gestational age and mean birth weight all showed no differences between the two groups (P＞0.05).One case of anterior placenta was found in UCL group,fewer than in the RFA group (27 cases,36.9％)(x2=4.853).No fetal loss occurred within two weeks in UCL group,but there were seven cases (seven cases,15.2％) of earlier fetal loss in RFA group (x2=4.952).The median operation time was (63.2±22.5) min in UCL group,and longer than in the RFA group (33.3 ± 11.4) min (t=5.165),all P＜0.05.(2) The gestational age of TTTS and TRAP patients for feticide was older than patients with sIUGR and discordant anomaly [(22.7± 3.0),(22.8±3.2),(20.3 ± 2.5) and (20.4± 3.6) weeks,respectively,F=2.957,P=0.040].Fetal loss rate within two weeks in patients with discordant anomaly was higher than in other groups (4/11 vs 1/10,0/23 and 1/15,P＜0.05).The survival rate,gestational age at delivery and mean birth weight showed no significant differences among the four groups.(3)Compared with feticided fetuses at the upper uterine cavity,the fetal loss rate was higher,and the operation time,gestational age at delivery,birth weight and neonatal survival rate were lower than those performed at the lower uterine cavity,but the difference was not significant.Conclusions RFA provides similar outcomes of selective feticide in complicated monochorionic twins compared with UCL,while RFA is easier to operate.

SUMMARY Takayasu’s arteritis is a rare,idiopathic,chronic inflammatory disease.Its course is un-predictable,but slow progression is usual,leading to stenosis,occlusion,or aneurismal degeneration of the aorta or its major branches.We present the anesthesia management of pregnancy in four women ad-mitted to Peking University Third Hospital for caesarean section from year 2006 to 2015 complicated with Takayasu’s arteritis and review this disease with special reference to natural history,diagnostic criteria, classification,prognostic factors,and anesthesia considerations.Anesthesiological data were retrospec-tively analyzed for clinical manifestations,anesthesia process,perioperative complications,and pregnan-cy outcome.One patient received only epidural anesthesia,while the other three patients received com-bined spinal and epidural anesthesia (CSEA).Surgeries for all the four patients were successful with sta-ble vital signs.We found comprehensive examinations including whether the disease was in the active phase and the clinical classification of the disease before conception was recommended for patients diag-nosed with Takayasu’s arteritis.CSEA and continuous epidural block could be both used as anesthesio-logical method in patients with Takayasu’s arteritis.During the surgery,to avoid rapid hemodynamic fluctuations and protect the major organs’function is very essential to allow for a satisfactory outcome.

Objective To study the clinical effect of fetoscopic laser occlusion of chorioangiopagous vessels (FLOC) in treating twin to twin transfusion syndrome.Methods The clinical data of 44 consecutive cases of twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) who had FLOC in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Peking University Third Hospital were reviewed and analyzed for perioperative complications,perinatal outcomes and fetal survival rate.Results (1) Patient characteristics:the mean maternal age was (29±4) years,the median gestational age at TTFS being primarily diagnosed was 20.4 weeks,the median gestational age at FLOC was 21.2 weeks.According to the Quintero staging system,there were 9 cases had stages progressed before the operation.(2) FLOC parameter and intraoperative complications:44 cases all could tolerate the operation; there was 1 case of placenta vascular rupture in the operation,no fetal body injury by laser or placental abruption.3 cases underwent cervical cerclage following FLOC.The average operation time of 41 cases alone with FLOC was (60.1± 15.1) minutes.(3) Postoperative complications:the rate of intrauterine fetal death was 15％ (13/88),the rate of intrauterine growth restriction after FLOC was 5％ (4/88),the rate of membranes rupture less than 28 weeks was 16％ (7/44),the rate of TAPS after FLOC was 5％ (2/44),the rate of membrane sepration after FLOC was 5％ (2/44).(4) Perinatal outcome and survival rate:there were 25 patients after FLOC had delivered in the perinatal period.The average gestational age of delivery was (33.5±2.7) weeks.The donor fetuses survival rate was 88％ (22/25),the recipient fetuses survival rate was 100％ (25/25).The birth weight of donor fetuses was significantly less than that of recipient fetuses (1 631g vs 2 071 g,P=0.016).From Quintero staging Ⅰ to Ⅳ,the rate that 44 cases of TTTS had entered the perinatal period was 4/7,11/14,7/19,3/4; both twins survival rates were 4/7,10/14,5/19,3/4; all the fetal survival rate was 8/14,75％ (21/28),32％ (12/38),6/8,respectively.(5) Compared the early stage (Ⅰ + Ⅱ) with the advanced stage (Ⅲ + Ⅳ),the rates that 44 cases of TTTS had entered the perinatal period (71％ vs 44％) and that both twins survived (67％ vs 35％) had no statistically significance.The rate that all the fetus survived in the early stage was significantly (69％ vs 39％) more than that in the advanced stage.(6) All the cases of neoborn were followed up till 1 month postpartum,the donor fetuses and the recipient fetuses had 12 and 5 cases of cardiac abnormalities respectively,each had 1 case of neonatal death and 2 cases of neonatal white matter damage.Conclusions FLOC for TTTS is associated with a better survival rate.Quintero staging probably does not effectively predict the fetal diagnosis of TTTS after FLOC.When TTTS diagnosed,the sooner FLOC given,the better fetal prognosis had.

Objective To evaluate the effect on maternal blood dilution of fetoscopic laser occlusion of chorioangiopagous vessels (FLOC) in treating twin to twin transfusion syndrome(TTTS). Methods The clinical data of 71 cases of TTTS who had FLOC in Peking University Third Hospital were reviewed. Fluid intake, blood pressure, heart rate, red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit in perioperative 24 hours were analyzed. Results (1)According to the Quintero staging, 9 cases were stageⅠ, 24 were stageⅡ,28 were stageⅢand 10 cases were stageⅣ.(2)The average operation time of FLOC was (64.0±16.3) minutes. One case had placental abruption after the procedure;one had placental vessel rupture and 6 women refused to take blood counting. These 8 cases were excluded and 63 cases were included in the study. (3) The perioperative bleeding volume was 3 (1, 5) ml, and the volume of fluid intake, urine, amniotic fluid drainage and net fluid intake in the perioperative 24 hours was 2 050 ml(1 530 ml, 3 700 ml), 2 300 ml (1 100 ml, 3 500 ml), 1 900 ml (1 400 ml, 2 700 ml) and -1 760 ml (-100 ml,-3 350 ml), respectively. There was no significant difference between maternal blood pressure or heart rate preoperatively and postoperatively.(4)The maternal red blood cell count [(3.47±0.36)×1012/L versus (3.01± 0.37) × 1012/L, P=0.000], hemoglobin [(107.8 ± 12.1) g/L versus (95.1 ± 11.2) g/L, P=0.000] and hematocrit [0.313(0.238, 0.387) versus 0.276(0.213, 0.800), P=0.000] decreased significantly 24 hours after FLOC.(5) The postoperative hematocrit decreased more in the group which the amniotic fluid drainage volume was 2 000- 3 000 ml than that in the group which the amniotic fluid drainage volume was 1 000-1 999 ml. Conclusions The blood dilution can not be ignored after the FLOC in TTTS patients. The more the amniodrainage volume during the FLOC, the more the maternal blood dilution would be. It might result from amniodrainage during the FLOC, improved maternal-placenta circulation and tocolytics used after FLOC. More attention should be take about maternal cardiac function and complications related with anemia after FLOC.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of fetoscopic laser occlusion of chorioangiopagous vessels (FLOC) in treatment of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and to investigate the incidence of TTTS complicated with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) for better understanding the effects of sIUGR as a complication of TTTS on pregnancy outcomes. Methods A retrospective study was performed on 116 gravidas who were diagnosed with TTTS of Quintero stage Ⅰ - Ⅳ in Peking University Third Hospital from September 2008 to September 2014. Among them, 44 cases received FLOC therapy. The incidences of sIUGR in each Quintero stage of TTTS were analyzed. Pregnancy outcomes of those 44 cases treated with FLOC were observed and the differences among four stage groups were analyzed. Chi-square or Fisher exact test was performed for statistical analysis. Results (1) The survival rates of both twins from stage Ⅰ to Ⅳ groups were 4/7, 10/14, 5/19 and 3/4, respectively, with statistically significant difference (χ2=7.840, P=0.038), but that in stage Ⅲ group was lower than in stage Ⅱ group without significant difference (P'=0.008). Differences in the total fetal survival rate among the four groups were statistically significant [8/14, 75% (21/28), 32% (12/38) and 6/8, χ2=14.016, P=0.002]. The total fetal survival rate in stage Ⅲ group was significantly lower than that in stageⅡ group (P'<0.008). In patients with stage Ⅲ TTTS, those complicated with sIUGR, after receiving FLOC therapy, showed a lower total fetal survival rate than those without sIUGR [21% (6/28) vs 6/10, P<0.05]. (2) Among the 116 TTTS patients, there were 63 cases (54%) with sIUGR complication. Patients with sIUGR complication in TTTS stages Ⅰ to Ⅳ groups accounted for 40% (14/35), 48% (11/23), 78% (28/36) and 46% (10/22), respectively, and the differences were significant (χ2=11.963,P=0.007). The incidence of sIUGR in stage Ⅲ group was greater than that in stage Ⅰ group (χ2=10.482, P'=0.002), and those in both stage Ⅲ and Ⅱ groups were higher than in stage Ⅰgroup without significant difference. Conclusions TTTS patients in stage Ⅲ have lower survival rate of both twins and total fetal survival rates after FLOC therapy, which may be related to a higher incidence of concurrent sIUGR.

Objective To explore the relationship between mathematical characteristics of cardiotocograph in electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) and umbilical blood acidosis,and help to evaluate the clinical significance of indeterminate EFM.Methods A total of 85 vaginal delivery cases (or transfer to caesarean section during labor) hospitalized in Peking University Third Hospital during February 4 to December 5,2011 was enrolled in this retrospective study.EFM monitored 0.5-1 hour before delivery was recorded and the mathematical characteristics as the baseline,deceleration area per unit time (cm2/min),deceleration duration ratio and some other variables of EFM were analyzed.All cases were divided into acidosis (n=12) and non-acidosis group (n=73) based on the umbilical blood gas results.Rank sum test or t-test were used to compare the difference on mathematical characteristics between these two groups.Results The deceleration duration ratio and deceleration area per unit time in acidosis group were 0.56±0.17 and 0.45 cm2/min (0.38-0.79 cm2/min),which were higher than those in non acidosis group [0.42±0.14 and 0.30 cm2/min (0.19-0.40 cm2/min)],the differences were statistically significant (t=2.889,Z=2.587,both P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the number of mild variable deceleration and severe deceleration per unit time between acidosis group and non acidosis group [(0.44± 0.14)/min vs (0.41±0.13)/min,t=1.318,P＞0.05; 0.033/min (0.016-0.062/min) vs 0.016/min (0.008-0.033/min),Z=-1.596,P＞0.05].Conclusions The deceleration duration ratio and deceleration area per unit time can be used to assist the interpretation of indeterminate EFM.