Anatomical and pathological findings in hearts from fetuses and infants with cardiac manifestations of neonatal lupus.

Objective: The autopsy and clinical information on children dying with anti-SSA/Ro-associated cardiac manifestations of neonatal lupus (cardiac NL) were examined to identify patterns of disease, gain insight into pathogenesis and enhance the search for biomarkers and preventive therapies.

Methods: A retrospective analysis evaluating reports from 18 autopsies of cardiac NL cases and clinical data from the Research Registry for Neonatal Lupus was performed.

Results: Of the 18 cases with autopsies, 15 had advanced heart block, including 3 who died in the second trimester, 9 in the third trimester and 3 post-natally.

Acute biological response to laser balloon angioplasty in the atherosclerotic rabbit.

Laser balloon angioplasty with Nd:YAG energy has been proposed as a method to seal intimal dissection and prevent elastic recoil after balloon angioplasty. To better define the vessel response to laser balloon angioplasty, its effects on luminal diameter, Indium-111 labelled platelet deposition, and histology were studied in 10 atherosclerotic rabbits. Balloon angioplasty was performed in both iliac arteries and was followed by laser balloon angioplasty in only one iliac artery.

Prenatal detection of monosomy 21 mosaicism.

We report a case of chromosomal mosaicism for monosomy 21 revealed in amniotic fluid cell culture. Ultrasound examination at 19 weeks' gestation showed in utero growth retardation and a complex cardiac malformation. A repeated amniocentesis confirmed the presence of monosomy 21 mosaicism.

Zidovudine pharmacokinetics during pregnancy.

As the indications for zidovudine (ZDV) treatment in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals expand, we anticipate an increased use of this drug during pregnancy. We report pharmacokinetics data from a patient studied both in the third trimester and intrapartum. ZDV peak-plasma levels and serum half-lives were comparable to nonpregnant adults.