Faculty Bibliography

Abstract Objective: To compare the efficacy and maternal side effects of nifedipine (N), magnesium sulfate (M), and indomethacin (I) for acute tocolysis. Methods: In this single center randomized trial, women in preterm labor 24-32 weeks' gestation received intravenous M, oral N, or I suppositories. The primary outcomes of interest were arrest of preterm labor (>48 h, >/=7 days), gestational age at delivery, and maternal side effects. Results: Over a 38-month period, 301 women were allocated to receive M (90), N (114), or I (90). Gestational age at delivery (p = 0.551) or arrest of labor >48 h, >7 days were similar between the three groups (p = 0.199, 0.654). Hypotension and tachycardia were more common in N patients compared to women receiving M or I (p = 0.003, 0.009). Patients receiving I had more fetal ductal constriction or oligohydramnios compared to M or N (p = 0.001, 0.020) but, I women were tested more often. There was one case of pulmonary edema in the M group and one with plural effusion in the N group. Conclusion: There were no differences in efficacy or in major maternal safety issues between the three tocolytic agents. Since there is no FDA approved tocolytic to treat preterm labor, clinicians should use the tocolytic that has afforded them the best results with the least maternal/neonatal side effects.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of oocyte donation on pregnancy outcomes in patients with twin pregnancies conceived via IVF. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Patients with IVF twin pregnancies delivered by one maternal-fetal medicine practice from 2005 to 2013. PATIENT(S): Fifty-six patients with IVF twin pregnancies who had oocyte donation and 56 age-matched controls with IVF twin pregnancies who used autologous oocytes. We excluded women aged >50 years because there were no age-matched controls aged >50 years using autologous oocytes. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia. RESULT(S): The baseline characteristics were similar between the groups, including maternal age, race, parity, chorionicity, and comorbidities. The mean (+/-SD) age was 43.0 +/- 6.0 vs. 41.9 +/- 1.7 years. There were no differences in outcomes between the groups in regard to preterm birth, birth weight, or gestational diabetes. There was a greater incidence of gestational hypertension (32.1% vs. 13.0%) and pre-eclampsia (28.3% vs. 13.0%) in the group that underwent IVF with donor oocytes. CONCLUSION(S): In patients who conceive twin pregnancies using IVF, oocyte donation increases the risk of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. However, this did not translate into increased rates of preterm birth or low birth weight. Patients who require oocyte donation should be carefully counseled regarding the increased risk for pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension but should be reassured that oocyte donation does not seem to lead to other adverse outcomes.

OBJECTIVE:: To report obstetric outcomes in a series of women with prior uterine rupture or prior uterine dehiscence managed with a standardized protocol. METHODS:: Series of patients delivered by a single maternal-fetal medicine practice from 2005 to 2013 with a history of uterine rupture or uterine dehiscence. Uterine rupture was defined as a clinically apparent, complete scar separation in labor or before labor. Uterine dehiscence was defined as an incomplete and clinically occult uterine scar separation with intact serosa. Patients with prior uterine rupture were delivered at approximately 36-37 weeks of gestation or earlier in the setting of preterm labor. Patients with prior uterine dehiscence were delivered at 37-39 weeks of gestation based on obstetric history, clinical findings, and ultrasonographic findings. Patients with prior uterine rupture or uterine dehiscence were followed with serial ultrasound scans to assess fetal growth and lower uterine segment integrity. Outcomes measured were severe morbidities (uterine rupture, hysterectomy, transfusion, cystotomy, bowel injury, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, thrombosis, reoperation, maternal death, perinatal death). RESULTS:: Fourteen women (20 pregnancies) had prior uterine rupture and 30 women (40 pregnancies) had prior uterine dehiscence. In these 60 pregnancies, there was 0% severe morbidity noted (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.0-6.0%). Overall, 6.7% of patients had a uterine dehiscence seen at the time of delivery (95% CI 2.6-15.9%). Among women with prior uterine rupture, the rate was 5.0% (95% CI 0.9-23.6%), whereas among women with prior uterine dehiscence, the rate was 7.5% (95% CI 2.6-19.9%). CONCLUSION:: Patients with prior uterine rupture or uterine dehiscence can have excellent outcomes in subsequent pregnancies if managed in a standardized manner, including cesarean delivery before the onset of labor or immediately at the onset of spontaneous preterm labor. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: III.

Abstract Objective: In singleton pregnancies, a uterine anomaly is a known risk factor for preterm birth and fetal growth restriction. Data on outcomes of twin pregnancies with uterine anomalies is limited to case reports. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes in twin pregnancies based on the presence or not of a uterine anomaly. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort of twin pregnancies managed by a single maternal-fetal medicine practice from 2005 to 2012. Patients with monoamniotic twins and twin-twin transfusion syndrome were excluded. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between patients with and without a uterine anomaly. Nonparametric tests (Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U) were used for analysis. A p value of