Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Research Publications

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    Accuracy of second trimester prediction of preterm preeclampsia by three different screening algorithms
    Al-Amin, A ; Rolnik, DL ; Black, C ; White, A ; Stolarek, C ; Brennecke, S ; Costa, FDS (WILEY, 2018-04)
    AIM: To compare the performance of three different screening methods (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommendations and Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) algorithm) for second trimester prediction of preeclampsia. METHODS: This was a prospective non-intervention study in singleton pregnancies, including women attending for second trimester morphologic ultrasound at 19-22 weeks. Maternal characteristics, medical history, mean arterial pressure and mean uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index were recorded and used for risk assessment. Outcomes measured were preeclampsia with delivery before 34, before 37 and after 37 weeks gestation. Detection rates, false positive rates and positive likelihood ratios were calculated, and receiver operating characteristic curves were produced. RESULTS: We screened 543 women during the study. The incidence of preeclampsia before 34, before 37 and after 37 weeks was 0.5, 1.4 and 3.4%, respectively. Detection rates for prediction of preterm preeclampsia were 75% (95% CI 34.9-96.8), 87% (95% CI 47.3-99.6), 100% (95% CI 63.0-100) and 100% (95% CI 63.0-100) for NICE guidelines, ACOG recommendations, FMF algorithm with a 1:100 cut-off and FMF algorithm at 1:60 cut-off, respectively. False positive rates were, 22, 67, 19 and 12% for NICE guidelines, ACOG recommendations, FMF algorithm with a 1:100 cut-off and FMF algorithm at 1:60 cut-off, respectively. CONCLUSION: Second trimester combined screening for preterm preeclampsia by maternal history, mean arterial pressure and mean uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index (FMF algorithm) was superior to screening by maternal factors alone (NICE guidelines and ACOG recommendations).
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    Optic nerve sonography and ophthalmic artery Doppler velocimetry in healthy pregnant women: an Australian cohort study
    Kane, SC ; Dennis, AT ; Da Silva Costa, F ; Kornman, LH ; Cade, TJ ; Brennecke, SP (WILEY, 2019-11)
    PURPOSE: Maternal ocular sonography offers a window into cerebrovascular and intracranial pressure changes in pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the Doppler velocimetric variables of the ophthalmic artery, and the mean diameter of the optic nerve sheath (ONSD), in an Australian cohort of healthy pregnant women. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study of healthy women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies in the third trimester was undertaken in a tertiary maternity service. A single prenatal ultrasonographic examination was performed on all participants, with a postnatal examination performed on a subgroup with uncomplicated deliveries. RESULTS: Fifty women were examined at a mean gestation of 35 weeks. The mean ± SD Doppler variables in the ophthalmic artery were peak systolic velocity (PSV) 41.89 ± 13.13 cm/s, second peak velocity 20.63 ± 8.97 cm/s, end diastolic velocity 9.29 ± 5.13 cm/s, pulsatility index 1.97 ± 0.53, resistive index 0.78 ± 0.07, peak ratio (second peak velocity/PSV) 0.49 ± 0.12, while the mean ONSD was 4.34 ± 0.4 mm. None of these variables had a demonstrable relationship with gestation or mean arterial pressure (MAP), nor did the sheath diameter have a relationship with any of the Doppler variables. CONCLUSIONS: The ocular sonographic variables observed in this population are similar to those reported in other cohorts. No clear relationship could be identified in this cohort between ophthalmic artery Doppler variables and the ONSD, and between each of these variables and gestation or MAP.
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    First-Trimester Uterine Artery Doppler Analysis in the Prediction of Later Pregnancy Complications
    Khong, SL ; Kane, SC ; Brennecke, SP ; Costa, FDS (HINDAWI LTD, 2015)
    Uterine artery Doppler waveform analysis has been extensively studied in the second trimester of pregnancy as a predictive marker for the later development of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The use of Doppler interrogation of this vessel in the first trimester has gained momentum in recent years. Various measurement techniques and impedance indices have been used to evaluate the relationship between uterine artery Doppler velocimetry and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Overall, first-trimester Doppler interrogation of the uterine artery performs better in the prediction of early-onset than late-onset preeclampsia. As an isolated marker of future disease, its sensitivity in predicting preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction in low risk pregnant women is moderate, at 40-70%. Multiparametric predictive models, combining first-trimester uterine artery pulsatility index with maternal characteristics and biochemical markers, can achieve a detection rate for early-onset preeclampsia of over 90%. The ideal combination of these tests and validation of them in various patient populations will be the focus of future research.
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    First Trimester Biomarkers in the Prediction of Later Pregnancy Complications
    Kane, SC ; Costa, FDS ; Brennecke, S (HINDAWI LTD, 2014)
    Adverse obstetric outcomes, such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and fetal growth restriction, are poorly predicted by maternal history and risk factors alone, especially in nulliparae. The ability to predict these outcomes from the first trimester would allow for the early initiation of prophylactic therapies, institution of an appropriate model and location of care, and recruitment of a truly "high risk" population to clinical trials of interventions to prevent or ameliorate these conditions. To this end, development of adequately sensitive and specific predictive tests for these outcomes has become a significant focus of perinatal research. This paper reviews the biomarkers involved in these multiparametric tests and also outlines the performance of these tests and issues regarding their introduction into clinical practice.