Outcomes and trends of peripartum maternal admission to the intensive care unit.

Background: The number of pregnant women with severe comorbidities is increasing. The aim of the present study was to analyze outcomes and determine trends in women who required peripartum admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: In this retrospective study, we identified all women who were admitted to the ICU between the second trimester of pregnancy and 6 weeks postpartum.

Abnormal maternal echocardiographic findings in triplet pregnancies presenting with dyspnoea.

Objective: The objective of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal maternal echocardiographic findings in triplet pregnancies presenting with dyspnoea.

Study Design: Between 2003 and 2013, patients' records of 96 triplet pregnancies at our department were analysed including maternal and fetal outcome, echocardiographic parameters and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. After exclusion of triplet pregnancies with fetal demise before 23 + 0 weeks, selective feticide or missing outcome data, the study population consisted of 60 triplet pregnancies.

The impact of GnRH agonists in patients with endometriosis on prolactin and sex hormone levels: a pilot study.

Objective: Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) decrease the expression of growth factors involved in the development of human endometriotic tissue. As endometriosis has been found to be associated with a mild increase in prolactin (PRL) serum levels, we aimed to evaluate changes in PRL serum levels as well as other hormones relevant to endometriosis and infertility during long-term administration of GnRHas in women with endometriosis.

Study Design: In this prospective pilot study we obtained blood samples on the first day of leuporeline administration and then subsequently after 4, 8 and 12 weeks in 22 patients.

Global and single gene DNA methylation in umbilical cord blood cells after elective caesarean: a pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate global and single gene methylation patterns as a sign for epigenetic modulation of the immune system in infants born by elective cesarean section (CS) and vaginal delivery (VD).

Study Design: For this prospective pilot study a two step approach was chosen. Initially 41 newborn infants comprising 23 delivered by VD and 18 delivered by elective CS were included.

Mean, lowest, and highest pulsatility index of the uterine artery and adverse pregnancy outcome in twin pregnancies.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the use of mean, lowest, and highest pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine arteries to screen for adverse pregnany outcome in twin pregnancies.

Study Design: This was a screening study of 423 twin pregnancies. Relationship between PI at 20-22 weeks and adverse pregnancy outcome was evaluated.

A comparison of NT-proBNP and albuminuria for predicting cardiac events in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Aims: Cardiovascular events are the most relevant events in patients with diabetes mellitus. We aimed to compare the predictive values of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and the state-of-the-art marker, albuminuria, for cardiac events in diabetic patients.

Methods: In this prospective observational study we recruited 1071 patients with diabetes mellitus.

Benefit of specialized clinics for the treatment of patients with heart failure.

Background: Current guidelines recommend special attention for heart failure (HF) patients in dedicated outpatient units.

Aims And Methods: In this observational cohort study we sought to determine whether an equivalent benefit is achieved in all HF patients treated in specialized heart failure clinics. Patients were stratified to patients recently referred and those who already receiving long-term care (>1 year).

Prognostic value of emerging neurohormones in chronic heart failure during optimization of heart failure-specific therapy.

Background: Serial measurements of neurohormones have been shown to improve prognostication in the setting of acute heart failure (HF) or chronic HF without therapeutic intervention. We investigated the prognostic role of serial measurements of emerging neurohormones and BNP in a cohort of chronic HF patients undergoing increases in HF-specific therapy.

Methods: In this prospective study we included 181 patients with chronic systolic HF after an episode of hospitalization for worsening HF.

YKL-40 is elevated in morbidly obese patients and declines after weight loss.

Background: Patients suffering from morbid obesity (MO) have an increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This increased cardiovascular burden is believed to be caused by a sub-inflammatory state through an increased secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) by the adipose tissue, resulting in insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). YKL-40, which is elevated in inflammatory processes in T2DM and IR and in ruptured plaques, might as well be involved in the increased cardiovascular burden of MO patients.

Endothelial markers may link kidney function to cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes.

Objective: The increased cardiovascular risk in diabetes has been linked to endothelial and renal dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of stable fragments of the precursors of adrenomedullin, endothelin-1, vasopressin, and atrial natriuretic peptide in progression of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: This was a prospective, observational study design with a composite end point (death or unexpected admission to hospital due to a cardiovascular event) on 781 patients with type 2 diabetes (54 events, median duration of observation 15 months).

Correlation of different circulating endothelial progenitor cells to stages of diabetic retinopathy: first in vivo data.

Purpose: To investigate vasculogenic circulating progenitor cells (CPCs), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and mature EPCs in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) with or without diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: A case-control study comparing 90 patients with T1DM with and without DR was performed. Patients were studied and staged for retinopathy according to the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) classification.

Circulating levels of MCP-1 are increased in women with gestational diabetes.

Objective: We investigated whether gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with monocyte-chemoattractant-protein-1 (MCP-1) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), the functional relevant proteins in the inflammatory process.

Methods: In all 32 women with gestational diabetes mellitus, 18 women without gestational diabetes mellitus and 40 nonpregnant women were included. MCP-1 and sCD40L were measured at the time of the oral glucose tolerance test (second trimester), in the third trimester and postpartum.