Reference ranges for third-trimester maternal cardiovascular function parameters measured in normotensive pregnant women using a non-invasive cardiac output monitor: A study based on data from the prospective PEACH cohort study.

Objective: We defined reference ranges for maternal cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, and stroke volume measured in the third trimester of pregnancy using the Ultrasound Cardiac Output Monitor 1A.

Design: Based on data from the prospective PEACH (PreEclampsia, Angiogenesis, Cardiac dysfunction and Hypertension) cohort study.

Setting: Rigshospitalet and Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark.

Cohort profile: The PreEclampsia, Angiogenesis, Cardiac dysfunction and Hypertension (PEACH) Study.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) remain a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, with implications for maternal and neonatal well-being in the short term and for long-term maternal cardiovascular health. Although the mechanisms behind HDP remain incompletely understood, evidence suggests that preeclampsia in particular is a syndrome with more than one distinct subtype.

Objectives: The PEACH (PreEclampsia, Angiogenesis, Cardiac dysfunction, Hypertension) Study was established to identify new HDP subtyping systems reflecting aetiology and prognosis and to find markers of later cardiovascular disease risk associated with preeclampsia.

[Venous thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19].

The importance of venous thromboembolism (VTE) as a major complication in patients with severe corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is becoming increasingly evident. In this review, we describe the proposed pathophysiology of the prothrombotic coagulation changes observed in patients with COVID-19. Further, based on a review of the currently available evidence on VTE prevalence in patients with COVID-19, we present and discuss the recommendations from the Danish Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis on the use of thromboprophylaxis in patients with COVID-19.

Lectin pathway proteins of the complement system in normotensive pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.

Problem: The lectin pathway of the complement system may be involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. We aimed to investigate changes in serum concentrations of a broad range of lectin pathway proteins during normal pregnancy and their association with pre-eclampsia, placental infarctions and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Method Of Study: We included 51 women with normotensive pregnancies and 54 women with pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia.

[Masked hypertension during pregnancy].

Hypertension during pregnancy is one of the leading causes of maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Monitoring of blood pressure is therefore an essential part of prenatal care. Masked hypertension, where blood pressure levels are elevated at home despite normal blood pressure levels monitored in a clinical setting, may lead to cardiovascular and obstetric complications equal to those of sustained hypertension.

[Pregnancy predispose to higher incidence of venous thromboembolism].

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality despite the possibility to prevent and treat the disorder. The hypercoagulability of normal pregnancy predispose to an approximately six-fold higher incidence of VTE in pregnancy. Identification of risk pregnancies and start of prophylaxis is essential, as is early diagnosis of VTE to prevent progression and pulmonary embolism.

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) excretion increases in normal pregnancy but not in preeclampsia.

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) serum values have been shown to increase in preeclampsia. The goal of the present study was to evaluate changes in urinary NGAL concentrations during uncomplicated pregnancy and in cases of preeclampsia and hypertension.

Methods: Fifty-one pregnant women who developed preeclampsia and 28 diagnosed with essential or gestational hypertension were investigated for urinary NGAL concentrations during pregnancy.

Venous thromboembolism in pregnancy: prophylaxis and treatment with low molecular weight heparin.

Objective: To evaluate the safety of individually dosed low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic complications in pregnancy.

Design: Cohort study with a chronologic register-based control group.

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hillerød Hospital, Denmark.

Soluble human leukocyte antigen-G isoforms in maternal plasma in early and late pregnancy.

Problem: Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-G is a class Ib gene located in the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Several lines of investigation indicate that the HLA-G molecule is involved in the maternal acceptance of the semi-allogenic fetus during pregnancy and in the development of tolerance. Expression of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) is positively correlated with successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, and aberrant expression of HLA-G in certain complications of pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia and spontaneous abortion, has been reported.

Prognostic value of screening for irregular antibodies late in pregnancy in rhesus positive women.

Background: To evaluate the prognostic value of screening for irregular antibodies late in pregnancy (third trimester) in rhesus positive women. Only those cases where irregular antibodies have not previously been demonstrated during routine screening in the first trimester with regard to clinically relevant complications in the newborn, were studied.

Materials And Methods: All women living in Frederiksborg county and giving birth in 1996 (n = 4216) were assessed for inclusion in the study.