TBX2, a Novel Regulator of Labour.

: Therapeutic interventions targeting molecular factors involved in the transition from uterine quiescence to overt labour are not substantially reducing the rate of spontaneous preterm labour. The identification of novel rational therapeutic targets are essential to prevent the most common cause of neonatal mortality. Based on our previous work showing that Tbx2 (T-Box transcription factor 2) is a putative upstream regulator preceding progesterone withdrawal in mouse myometrium, we now investigate the role of TBX2 in human myometrium.

Doppler gradients, valve area and ventricular function in pregnant women with aortic or pulmonary valve disease: Left versus right.

Objective: Little is known about the course of echocardiographic parameters used for the evaluation of valvular heart disease (VHD) during pregnancy, hampering interpretation of possible changes (physiological vs. pathophysiological). Therefore we studied the course of these parameters and ventricular function in pregnant women with aortic and pulmonary VHD.

Biological versus mechanical heart valve prosthesis during pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease.

Background: We evaluate pregnancy outcome and anticoagulation regimes in women with mechanical and biological prosthetic heart valves (PHV) for congenital heart disease.

Methods: Retrospective multicenter cohort studying pregnancy outcomes in an existing cohort of patients with PHV.

Results: 52 women had 102 pregnancies of which 78 pregnancies (46 women) ≥20 weeks duration (59 biological, 19 mechanical PHV).

Pregnancy in women with corrected aortic coarctation: Uteroplacental Doppler flow and pregnancy outcome.

Objective: Women with repaired coarctation of the aorta (rCoA) are at risk of hypertensive disorders and other complications during pregnancy. Hypertensive disorders in pregnant women are associated with inadequate uteroplacental flow, which is related to adverse offspring outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of maternal cardiac function, placental function and pregnancy complications in women with rCoA.

Cardiac adaption during pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease and healthy women.

Objective: Pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with deterioration in cardiac function. However, longitudinal data are scarce. This study describes serial changes in cardiac dimensions and function during pregnancy in women with CHD and compares these with healthy pregnant women (controls).

Cardiac function and cardiac events 1-year postpartum in women with congenital heart disease.

Background: Pregnancy is increasingly common in women with congenital heart disease (CHD), but little is known about long-term cardiovascular outcome after pregnancy in these patients. We studied the incidence of cardiovascular events 1-year postpartum and compared cardiac function prepregnancy and 1-year postpartum in women with CHD.

Methods: From our national, prospective multicenter cohort study, 172 women were studied.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide predicts cardiovascular complications in pregnant women with congenital heart disease.

Aims: In women with congenital heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular complications during pregnancy are common, but the risk assessment of these patients remains difficult. This study sought to determine the independent role of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in addition to other parameters in predicting adverse cardiovascular events during pregnancy in women with CHD.

Methods And Results: We conducted a national, prospective multicentre cohort study.

Uteroplacental blood flow, cardiac function, and pregnancy outcome in women with congenital heart disease.

Background: Pregnant women with congenital heart disease (CHD) are susceptible to cardiovascular, obstetric, and offspring complications. In women with CHD, cardiac dysfunction may compromise uteroplacental flow and contribute to the increased incidence of obstetric and offspring events.

Methods And Results: We performed a prospective multicenter cohort study of pregnant women with CHD and healthy pregnant women.