OBJECTIVES: To prospectively validate the diagnostic performance of a non-invasive point-of-care tool (Rapid IAI System), including vaginal alpha-fetoprotein and interleukin-6, to predict the occurrence of intra-amniotic inflammation in a Spanish cohort of patients admitted with a diagnosis of preterm labor and intact membranes. METHODS: From 2017 to 2022, we prospectively evaluated a cohort of pregnant women diagnosed with preterm labor and intact membranes admitted below 34+0 weeks who underwent amniocentesis to rule-in/out intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation. Vaginal sampling was performed at the time of amniocentesis or within 24-48 h. Amniotic fluid IL-6, vaginal alpha-fetoprotein and vaginal IL-6 concentrations were measured using a point-of-care tool provided by Hologic Inc., "Rapid IAI System". We defined intra-amniotic inflammation when amniotic fluid IL-6 values were greater than 11.3 ng/mL. During recruitment, clinicians were blinded to the results of the point-of-care tool. The original prediction model proposed by Hologic Inc. to predict intra-amniotic inflammation was validated in this cohort of patients. RESULTS: We included 151 patients diagnosed with preterm labor and intact membranes. Among these, 29 (19.2 %) had intra-amniotic inflammation. The algorithm including vaginal IL-6 and alpha-fetoprotein showed an area under curve to predict intra-amniotic inflammation of 80.3 % (±5.3 %) with a sensitivity of 72.4 %, specificity of 84.6 %, positive predictive valuve (PPV) of 52.5 %, negative predictive value (NPV) of 92.9 %, and a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 4.6 and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) of 0.33. CONCLUSIONS: External validation of a non-invasive rapid point-of-care tool, including vaginal alpha-fetoprotein and IL-6, showed very good diagnostic performance for predicting the absence of intra-amniotic inflammation in women with preterm labor and intact membranes.
- MeSH
- alpha-Fetoproteins * analysis metabolism MeSH
- Amniocentesis methods MeSH
- Chorioamnionitis * diagnosis MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Risk Assessment methods MeSH
- Interleukin-6 * analysis blood metabolism MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Amniotic Fluid * metabolism chemistry MeSH
- Point-of-Care Testing MeSH
- Obstetric Labor, Premature * diagnosis MeSH
- Predictive Value of Tests MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Vagina metabolism MeSH
- Point-of-Care Systems MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Validation Study MeSH
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess variations in the absolute counts of various leukocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of women with pregnancies affected by preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM), in relation to the presence of intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI). METHODS: The study included fifty-two women with singleton pregnancies experiencing PPROM. Absolute counts of different leukocyte subpopulations, such as granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, T cells and their subsets, B cells and their subsets, and NK cells and their subsets, were measured in maternal peripheral blood samples using multicolour flow cytometry. IAI was identified by elevated concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the amniotic fluid, which was collected through transabdominal amniocentesis. RESULTS: Women with IAI exhibited higher absolute counts of leukocytes (p = 0.003), granulocytes (p = 0.008), and monocytes (p = 0.009). However, the presence of IAI did not significantly affect the absolute counts of lymphocytes or their subpopulations. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that IAI is associated with changes in the absolute counts of leukocytes from the innate immunity compartment in the peripheral blood of women with pregnancies complicated by PPROM. Conversely, it does not significantly alter the counts of cells from the adaptive immune system. The changes observed may reflect the natural, temporal, and localised characteristics of IAI.
- MeSH
- Amniocentesis MeSH
- Chorioamnionitis * blood MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Interleukin-6 blood analysis MeSH
- Leukocytes MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Amniotic Fluid cytology MeSH
- Leukocyte Count MeSH
- Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture * blood MeSH
- Immunity, Innate MeSH
- Flow Cytometry MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: Idiopathic bleeding in the second trimester of pregnancy complicates <1% of all pregnancies. This pregnancy complication can be caused by alterations in local hemostasis in the decidua due to infection/inflammation in the choriodecidual niche. This condition is associated with intraamniotic inflammatory complications. Antibiotic therapy effectively reduces the intensity of intraamniotic inflammation in certain pregnancy pathologies. However, whether antibiotic administration can reduce the intensity of the intraamniotic inflammatory response or eradicate microorganisms in patients with idiopathic bleeding during the second trimester of pregnancy remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study primarily aimed to determine whether antimicrobial agents can reduce the magnitude of intraamniotic inflammation in patients with idiopathic bleeding in the second trimester of pregnancy by assessing the concentration of interleukin-6 in the amniotic fluid before and after 7 days of antibiotic treatment. The secondary aim was to determine whether treatment with a combination of antibiotics altered the microbial load of Ureaplasma species DNA in amniotic fluid. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study included singleton-gestation patients with idiopathic bleeding between 15+0 and 27+6 weeks who underwent transabdominal amniocentesis at the time of admission. Follow-up amniocentesis was performed in a subset of patients unless abortion or delivery occurred earlier. Concentrations of interleukin-6 were measured in the amniotic fluid samples, and the presence of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity was assessed using culture and molecular microbiological methods. Intraamniotic inflammation was defined as an interleukin-6 concentration ≥3000 pg/mL in the amniotic fluid samples. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients with idiopathic bleeding in the second trimester of pregnancy were included. All the patients underwent initial amniocentesis. Patients with intraamniotic inflammation (n=25) were treated using a combination of antibiotics consisting of intravenous ceftriaxone, intravenous metronidazole, and peroral clarithromycin. The patients without intraamniotic inflammation (n=11) were treated expectantly. In total, 25 patients delivered 7 days after admission. All patients with intraamniotic inflammation at the initial amniocentesis who delivered after 7 days underwent follow-up amniocentesis. Treatment with antibiotics decreased the interleukin-6 concentration in the amniotic fluid at follow-up amniocentesis compared with that at the initial amniocentesis in patients with intraamniotic inflammation (median [interquartile range]: 3457 pg/mL [2493-13,203] vs 19,812 pg/mL [11,973-34,518]; P=.0001). Amniotic fluid samples with Ureaplasma species DNA had a lower microbial load at the time of follow-up amniocentesis compared with the initial amniocentesis (median [interquartile range]: 1.5×105 copies DNA/mL [1.3×105-1.7×105] vs 8.0×107 copies DNA/mL [6.7×106-1.6×108]; P=.02). CONCLUSION: Antibiotic therapy was associated with reduced intraamniotic inflammation in patients with idiopathic bleeding in the second trimester complicated by intraamniotic inflammation. Moreover, antibiotic treatment has been associated with a reduction in the microbial load of Ureaplasma species DNA in the amniotic fluid.
- MeSH
- Amniocentesis adverse effects MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use MeSH
- Chorioamnionitis * microbiology MeSH
- Uterine Hemorrhage MeSH
- DNA MeSH
- Pregnancy Trimester, Second MeSH
- Interleukin-6 MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Amniotic Fluid microbiology MeSH
- Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture * drug therapy MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Ureaplasma MeSH
- Inflammation complications MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Echokardiografie je nejdostupnější, a přitom velmi citlivou a spolehlivou metodou pro detekci zvýšeného množství perikardiální tekutiny a zároveň rozeznání stavu s naléhavou potřebou punkce i její bezpečné provedení. Výhodou echokardiografie je kromě dostupnosti u lůžka nemocného prakticky libovolná možnost opakování. Diagnostiku perikardiálního výpotku a zhodnocení jeho hemodynamické významnosti by v rámci screeningového ultrazvukového vyšetření měl v současnosti ovládat každý lékař pracující v intenzivní péči.
Echocardiography is the most accessible, yet very sensitive and reliable method to detect an increased amount of pericardial fluid and to recognize emergent situations requiring pericardial punction and to guide this invasive procedure. The biggest advantages of echocardiography are its' availability bedside and unlimited possibility of repeating the examination. Every doctor working in intensive care should be able to perform a basic ultrasound examination for diagnosing presence of the pericardial effusion and to evaluate its' hemodynamic significance.
Penetrujúci aterosklerotický vred (PAU) predstavuje druh ulceróznej lézie, ktorá narúša vnútornú elastickú vrstvu cievy, čo vedie k akumulácii hematómu vo vnútornej stene aorty (1). PAU obvykle vzniká v pokročilých aterosklerotických léziách, častejšie u osôb staršieho veku so zvýšeným kardiovaskulárnym rizikom. Vývoj PAU variuje a môže viesť ku komplikáciám, akými sú intramurálny hematóm, disekcia či pseudoaneuryzma (PSA) (2). V prípade, že ulcerózna lézia prenikne cez adventíciu, môže to viesť k život ohrozujúcemu krvácaniu. V tejto kazuistike predstavujeme prípad 66-ročného pacienta s anamnézou non-Hodgkinovho lymfómu, ktorý vyhľadal lekársku pomoc pre tri týždne trvajúcu dýchavičnosť, periférne opuchy, závraty a nízky krvný tlak. Lekárske vyšetrenie odhalilo prítomnosť perikardiálneho výpotku vedúceho k rozvoju tamponády, ktorá si vyžiadala perikardiocentézu. Štyri dni po odstránení perikardiálneho drénu došlo k recidíve tamponády s úspešným kardiochirurgickým výkonom. Napriek tomu pacient o niekoľko dní neskôr exitoval v dôsledku zastavenia srdca. Pitva odhalila dovtedy asymptomatickú PSA v ascendentnej aorte, ktorá vznikla, podľa všetkého, na podklade PAU. Ruptúra PSA počas odstránenia perikardiálneho drénu viedla k fatálnemu krvácaniu do priestoru perikardu.
A penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU) is a type of ulcerative lesion that breaches the internal elastic lamina, allowing for the formation of a hematoma within the medial wall of the aorta (1). PAUs typically occur in advanced atherosclerotic lesions and are more commonly observed in elderly individuals with a higher cardiovascular risk. The clinical course of PAUs can vary and may involve complications such as intramural hematomas, dissection, and pseudoaneurysms (PSA) (2). If the ulcerative lesion extends through the adventitia, it can lead to a life-threatening bleeding, necessitating careful management of PAUs. We report the case of a 66-year-old patient with a known history of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who presented to the hospital with shortness of breath, peripheral edema, vertigo, and low blood pressure persistent for the last three weeks. During hospitalization, investigations revealed the presence of pericardial effusion. On the same day, the patient experienced hemodynamic instability with cardiac tamponade, requiring pericardiocentesis. Four days after drain removal, there was a recurrence of cardiac tamponade, which was successfully managed with surgical intervention. Unfortunately, the patient passed away a few days later due to cardiac arrest. During autopsy, by then a clinically asymptomatic PSA was discovered in the ascending aorta, resulting from a PAU. The rupture of PSA was responsible for the fatal bleeding into the pericardial space during the drain removal procedure.
- MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Otitis Media * diagnosis etiology physiopathology therapy MeSH
- Paracentesis MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify whether microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and/or intra-amniotic inflammation in women with late preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) was associated with changes in concentrations of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF) and its ratio in maternal serum, and whether placental features consistent with maternal vascular malperfusion further affect their concentrations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This historical study included 154 women with singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM between gestational ages 34+0 and 36+6 weeks. Transabdominal amniocentesis was performed as part of standard clinical management to evaluate the intra-amniotic environment. Women were categorized into two subgroups based on the presence of microorganisms and/or their nucleic acids in amniotic fluid (determined by culturing and molecular biology method) and intra-amniotic inflammation (by amniotic fluid interleukin-6 concentration evaluation): (1) those with the presence of microorganisms and/or inflammation (at least one present) and (2) those with negative amniotic fluid for infection/inflammation (absence of both). Concentrations of sFlt-1 and PlGF were assessed using the Elecsys® sFlt-1 and Elecsys® PlGF immunoassays and converted into multiples of medians. RESULTS: Women with the presence of microorganisms and/or inflammation in amniotic fluid had lower serum concentrations of sFlt-1 and sFlt-1/PlGF ratios and higher concentrations of PlGF compared with those with negative amniotic fluid. (sFlt-1: presence: median 1.0 multiples of the median (MoM), vs negative: median: 1.5 MoM, P = 0.003; PlGF: presence: median 0.7 MoM, vs negative: median 0.4 MoM, P = 0.02; sFlt-1/PlGF: presence: median 8.9 vs negative 25.0, P = 0.001). Higher serum concentrations of sFlt-1 and sFlt-1/PlGF ratios as well as lower concentrations of PlGF were found in the subsets of women with maternal vascular malperfusion than in those without maternal vascular malperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Among women experiencing late PPROM, angiogenic imbalance in maternal serum is primarily observed in those without both microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and intra-amniotic inflammation. Additionally, there is an association between angiogenic imbalance and the presence of maternal vascular malperfusion.
- MeSH
- Amniocentesis MeSH
- Biomarkers blood MeSH
- Chorioamnionitis blood MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Gestational Age MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Placenta Growth Factor * blood MeSH
- Amniotic Fluid * microbiology metabolism MeSH
- Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture * blood MeSH
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 * blood MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- MeSH
- Abdominal Cavity surgery physiopathology MeSH
- Drainage * classification methods nursing MeSH
- Contraindications, Procedure MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Infant, Newborn MeSH
- Paracentesis * classification methods nursing adverse effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Infant, Newborn MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
- MeSH
- Contraindications, Procedure MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Myocardium MeSH
- Infant, Newborn MeSH
- Pericardial Effusion diagnosis classification therapy MeSH
- Pericardiocentesis * classification methods adverse effects MeSH
- Pneumothorax diagnosis etiology MeSH
- Cardiac Tamponade diagnosis etiology complications MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Infant, Newborn MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
