A Retrospective Cohort Evaluation of Left Ventricular Remodeling, Perioperative Complications and Outcome in Medium and Large Size Dogs with Patent Ductus Arteriosus after Percutaneous Closure.

This retrospective cohort study included one hundred fifty-seven medium and large-size dogs with the aim of evaluating the effect of signalment and echocardiographic features on complications, outcomes and left ventricular modifications before and after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure. The patients were divided in two groups based on the heart remodeling after closure: Group A included dogs that had a reduction in the end-systolic volume index (ESVI) after closure compared to the ESVI measured before; Group B included dogs without a reduction in ESVI after closure. Body weight, minimal ductal diameter (MDD) of PDA, end-diastolic volume index and presence of arrhythmias at presentation were significantly higher in Group B compared to Group A.

Systemic methotrexate treatment in early unruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy is one of the most common and dangerous complications of the early pregnancy period. Until now diagnosis has been late because major symptoms occur after tubal rupture and so only demolitive surgery has been possible. At present, with the appearance of ultrasound in obstetrics an earlier diagnosis of this pathology can be made before tubal rupture so medical treatment has become possible.

Serum lipoperoxide level variations in normal and luteal phase defect cycles.

A luteal phase defect (LPD) is a clinical problem leading to infertility and is characterized by reduced progesterone levels during the luteal phase. Serum lipoperoxidation is an expression of cellular hypoxic damage occurring under all stress-oxidative conditions. Forty-eight consecutive infertility patients, according to the infertility class II of the WHO classification, underwent clinical observation.

Serum CA 125 and first trimester abortion.

Objective: The study was carried out to assess the clinical value of serum CA 125 in association with serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for predicting pregnancy outcome.

Methods: One hundred spontaneous pregnancies, 52 non-threatened pregnancies and 48 with threatened abortions, observed in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy, were evaluated during the first trimester using ultrasound examination, CA 125 and beta-hCG titrations.

Results: Threatened pregnancies had statistically significantly higher CA 125 serum values than non-threatened pregnancies, especially those with a negative outcome (P < 0.