Automated quantitative evaluation of fetal atrioventricular annular plane systolic excursion.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of automated measurement of fetal atrioventricular (AV) plane displacement (AVPD) over several cardiac cycles using myocardial velocity traces obtained by color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI). The secondary objectives were to establish reference ranges for AVPD during the second half of normal pregnancy, to assess fetal AVPD in prolonged pregnancy in relation to adverse perinatal outcome and to evaluate AVPD in fetuses with a suspicion of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Methods: The population used to develop the reference ranges consisted of women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at 18-42 weeks of gestation (n = 201).

Prenatal Diagnosis of Agenesis of Ductus Venosus: A Retrospective Study of Anatomic Variants, Associated Anomalies and Impact on Postnatal Outcome.

Purpose:  To assess the anatomic variants, associated anomalies and postnatal outcome of fetuses with a prenatally diagnosed agenesis of ductus venosus (ADV).

Materials And Methods:  Retrospective study of 119 cases with agenesis of ductus venosus diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound in two tertiary referral centers from 2006 to 2014. The type and location of the umbilical venous drainage site was noted.

Morgagni hernia presenting with massive pericardial effusion and ascites: prenatal management by thoraco-amniotic shunting and fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) and review of the literature.

Background: Morgagni hernia presents a rare type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH, about 2-5 %) (Herman, J Perinatol 21:343-344, 2001), which is characterized by an anterior mainly right-sided defect of the diaphragm. Infrequently, this is combined with a herniation of the liver into the pericardial cavity (Aké, Prenat Diagn 11:719-724, 1991; Stevens, Pediatr Radiol 26:791-793, 1996). This may cause massive pericardial effusion and subsequently lung hypoplasia (Pober et al.

A Randomized Trial of a Cervical Pessary to Prevent Preterm Singleton Birth.

Background: Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal and infant death and of disability among survivors. It is unclear whether a pessary inserted around the cervix reduces the risk of preterm singleton birth.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial comparing pessary placement with expectant management (control) in girls and women who were pregnant with singletons (singleton pregnancies) and who had a cervical length of 25 mm or less at 20 weeks 0 days to 24 weeks 6 days of gestation.

Successful induction of labor: prediction by preinduction cervical length, angle of progression and cervical elastography.

Objective: To examine the potential value of preinduction cervical length, cervical elastography and angle of progression (AOP) in prediction of successful vaginal delivery and induction-to-delivery interval.

Methods: This was a prospective study in 99 women with singleton pregnancy undergoing preinduction ultrasound assessment at 35-42 weeks' gestation. Cervical length, elastographic score at the internal os and AOP were determined.

Protocol for measurement of mean arterial pressure at 11-13 weeks' gestation.

Objectives: To identify the best protocol for measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP) in early pregnancy for the prediction of preeclampsia (PE).

Methods: This was a prospective study in singleton pregnancies attending for a routine hospital visit at 11-13 weeks' gestation when a minimum of four recordings of MAP were taken from each arm. The performance of screening for PE by different combinations of MAP was compared to the protocol of the National Heart Foundation of Australia (NHFA).