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INTRODUCTION: The optimal approach and therapy method for the acardiac twin with a reverse arterial perfusion sequence has not yet been established. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical practice patterns among international fetal therapy units in their management of these cases. METHODS: A survey was sent to fetal centers across the world via email between December 2020 and December 2021. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 77% contacted centers. The most frequent ultrasound variables used in the evaluation of twin reverse arterial perfusion sequence include echocardiographic assessment of the pump twin and umbilical artery Doppler waveforms in the acardiac and pump twins, in 90% and 80% of the centers, respectively. Most centers in Europe and Latin America propose an in utero intervention in all cases. Most centers in Europe and Latin America prefer interstitial laser ablation, whereas radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is preferred in North America. The earliest gestational age for an intervention is on mean 13 weeks in Europe, which is earlier than the other geographic areas (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most centers agreed that antenatal evaluation should include echocardiography along with the UA Doppler waveform measurements, and the most frequently used interventions were interstitial laser ablation or RFA at a median between 14 and 26 weeks.

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AIM: No study has evaluated the betamethasone pharmacokinetics in twin pregnancies according to chorionicity. This study aimed to describe and compare the betamethasone pharmacokinetic parameters in singleton and dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic twin pregnancies in the third trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: Twenty-six pregnant women received 2 intramuscular doses of 6 mg of betamethasone sodium phosphate plus 6 mg betamethasone acetate due to preterm labour. Serial blood samples were collected for 24 hours after the first intramuscular dose of betamethasone esters. Betamethasone plasma concentrations were quantified using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analytical method, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained employing a noncompartmental model. Preliminary data on the betamethasone placental transfer are also presented. RESULTS: The geometric mean (95% confidence interval) of AUC0-∞ 645.1 (504.3-825.2) vs. 409.8 (311.2-539.6) ng.h/mL and CL/F 17.70 (13.84-22.65) vs. 27.87 (21.17-36.69) were significantly different, respectively, in singleton pregnancies when compared to DC twins. CONCLUSION: Data from this study suggest that the presence of 2 foetoplacental units may increase the betamethasone metabolism by hepatic CYP3A4 and/or placental 11ß-HSD2 enzymes. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic clinical studies are needed to investigate whether these betamethasone pharmacokinetic changes have clinical repercussions for the newborns and require dose adjustment in DC twin pregnancies.

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Resumen OBJETIVO: Reportar, comparar y analizar el estado posnatal de pacientes con embarazo gemelar monocorial y determinar la incidencia de secuencia TRAP. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de una serie de casos de pacientes con diagnóstico de embarazo múltiple monocorial atendidas entre 2014 y 2018 en el Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de la Mujer de Tabasco. Se incluyeron todas las pacientes con diagnóstico de secuencia de perfusión arterial reversa gemelar con finalización del embarazo y reporte del estado posnatal. Se determinó la incidencia y se excluyeron las pacientes con expedientes incompletos y embarazos no concluidos en el Hospital Regional. RESULTADOS: Se encontraron 6 casos de embarazo gemelar monocorial con secuencia TRAP. De los casos reportados, 5 fueron gemelar doble y 1 de alto orden fetal. Solo 1 de los 6 casos recibió tratamiento intraútero. En 4 casos el gemelo bomba supervivió sin complicaciones reportadas. La incidencia de secuencia TRAP de embarazos monocoriales de la muestra de estudio fue de 5.2%. CONCLUSIÓN: Se expusieron 6 casos tratados de diferentes maneras y con mejores resultados con la conducta conservadora porque en los 4 casos que no recibieron tratamiento los gemelos bomba no sufrieron descompensaciones cardiacas y supervivieron, a diferencia del único caso con tratamiento intra-útero en el que hubo complicaciones que llevaron a la terminación del embarazo en el segundo trimestre.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Report, compare and analyze the postnatal status of patients with monochorionic twin pregnancy and determine the incidence of TRAP sequence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective, case series study of patients diagnosed with monochorionic multiple pregnancy attended at the High Specialty Regional Women's Hospital of Tabasco between 2014 and 2018 was carried out. The study included all patients with the diagnosis of TRAP sequence, reported postnatal outcomes and the incidence was determined. Patients with incomplete records and unfinished pregnancies were excluded. RESULTS: Six cases of twin reversed arterial perfusion were diagnosed, five of which were twin pregnancies and one was a higher order multiple pregnancy. Only one of the patients received intra-uterine treatment. The pump twin survived without complications in four of the six cases. CONCLUSION: Six treated cases were exposed in different ways and with better results with the conservative behavior because in the 4 cases that did not receive treatment, the twin pump did not suffer cardiac decompensation and survived, unlike the only case with intra-uterine treatment in which there were complications that led to termination of pregnancy in the second trimester.

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A woman with a monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy was referred to our Centre due to a discrepancy in size between the foetuses. She was 17 weeks' pregnant when the diagnosis of selective IUGR type 2 was made and the laser ablation of the placental anastomoses was performed. During the fetoscopy, we identified an arterio-venous anastomosis with bidirectional flow, which is atypical in this type of anastomoses (unidirectionals) and could represent a sign of ominous prognosis for the restricted twin.

Presentamos el caso de una gestante de 17 semanas con una gestación gemelar monocoriónica biamniótica complicada con RCIU selectivo tipo 2 que requirió, de acuerdo a criterios ecográficos, ablación quirúrgica láser de las anastomosis placentarias. Se identificó durante la fetoscopia una anastomosis arterio-venosa que mostraba flujo bidireccional lo cual es sumamente inusual en este tipo de anastomosis, no reportado antes en la literatura, constituyendo así un signo de mal pronóstico para el gemelo pequeño.

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Los gemelos coriangiopagos (fetos que comparten una placenta) pueden tener de manera exclusiva asimetría en la distribución de territorios placentarios, con alta incidencia de inserción marginal y algunas veces en velamento del cordón umbilical; además, transfusiones interfetales (agudas o crónicas) que se producen por la presencia de comunicaciones sanguíneas (anastomosis placentarias). Resulta así una serie de fenotipos fetales que solo se presentan en este tipo de embarazos, en orden de frecuencia, el síndrome de transfusión feto-fetal, restricción del crecimiento intrauterino selectivo, síndrome de anemia-policitemia y la secuencia arterial reversa (twin reversed arterial perfusion- TRAP), pudiendo coexistir más de uno en un mismo embarazo. Es importante entonces el estudio de la angioarquitectura placentaria en los gemelos monocoriónicos, para comprender el comportamiento y el fenotipo que resultara en cada embarazo.

Chorio-angiopagus twins (fetuses sharing one placenta) may exclusively show asymmetry in the distribution of placental territories with high incidence of marginal insertion and sometimes velamentous placenta as well as twin-twin transfusion (acute or chronic) produced by vessel communications (placental anastomosis). A series of fetal phenotypes may result including twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, selective intrauterine growth restriction, anemia-polycythemia syndrome, and twin reversed arterial perfusion - TRAP- sequence; they may coexist. It is therefore important to study placental angioarchitecture in monochorionic twins in order to understand resulting both outcome and phenotype.

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La secuencia síndrome de perfusión arterial reversa (TRAP, por sus siglas en inglés) es una de las patologías asociadas a las complicaciones del embarazo gemelar monocoriónico, que puede mostrar discordancia del volumen de líquido amniótico entre los fetos y hasta coexistencia de un feto acárdico con uno sano. Se comunica el caso de un síndrome de perfusión arterial reversa TRAP diagnosticado en el segundo trimestre del embarazo y se discute el manejo realizado en el servicio, así como los resultados perinatales asociados.

Twin reverse arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence is a pathology associated to monochorionic twin pregnancy complications that may show amniotic fluid volume discordance between fetuses and even coexistence of one acardiac fetus and one healthy fetus. A TRAP case diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy is reported and treatment and perinatal results are discussed.

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OBJECTIVE: To document perinatal outcomes following use of the 'Solomon technique' in the selective photocoagulation of placental anastomoses for severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). METHODS: Between January 2010 and July 2012, data were collected from 102 consecutive monochorionic twin pregnancies complicated by severe TTTS that underwent fetoscopic laser ablation at four different centers. We compared outcomes between subjects that underwent selective laser coagulation using the Solomon technique (cases) and those that underwent selective laser coagulation without this procedure (controls). RESULTS: Of the 102 pregnancies examined, 26 (25.5%) underwent the Solomon technique and 76 (74.5%) did not. Of the 204 fetuses, 139 (68.1%) survived up to 30 days of age. At least one twin survived in 82 (80.4%) pregnancies and both twins survived in 57 (55.9%) pregnancies. When compared with the control group, the Solomon-technique group had a significantly higher survival rate for both twins (84.6 vs 46.1%; P < 0.01) and a higher overall neonatal survival rate (45/52 (86.5%) vs 94/152 (61.8%); P < 0.01). Use of the Solomon technique remained independently associated with dual twin survival (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 11.35 (95% CI, 3.11-53.14); P = 0.0007) and overall neonatal survival rate (aOR, 4.65 (95% CI, 1.59-13.62); P = 0.005) on multivariable analysis. There were no cases of recurrent TTTS or twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) in the Solomon-technique group. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the Solomon technique following selective laser coagulation of placental anastomoses appears to improve twin survival and may reduce the risk of recurrent TTTS and TAPS. Our data support the idea of performing a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the Solomon technique.

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Objetivo: relatar um caso de síndrome de transfusão feto-fetal (STFF), demonstrando a importância do correto eprecoce diagnóstico ultrassonográfico e quando necessário a indicação da fotocoagulação a laser fetoscópica(FCLF) como melhor conduta terapêutica. Relato do caso: mulher 18 anos, secundigesta, gestação gemelarmonocoriônica diamniótica com diagnóstico ultrassonográfico tardio de STFF, devido não realização de prénatal.Realizados dois procedimentos de amniodrenagem como medida paliativa, evoluindo para partoprematuro no oitavo dia de internação. Um dos gêmeos evoluiu a óbito na UTI neonatal. Considerações finais:percebe-se a necessidade de uma melhor assistência pré-natal, treinamento dos profissionais médicos para arealização do diagnóstico ultrassonográfico correto e de investimentos em centros de Medicina fetal no Parápara tratamento adequado

Objective: to report a case of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), demonstrating the importance of correctand early ultrasound diagnosis and when necessary the indication of laser photocoagulation fetoscópica (FCLF)as the best therapeutic approach. Case report: 18 years woman, in her second, diamniótica monochorionic twinpregnancy with late diagnosis of TTTS, because failure to carry out prenatal care. Evolved into premature laborafter cesarean with indication of two procedures amniodrenagem. After a cesarean section withoutcomplications was death of the twins in the NICU. Final considerations: we perceive the need to support theadequacy of prenatal care, training of medical professionals to perform the correct ultrasound diagnosis andinvestments in fetal medicine centers in Pará.

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Twin to twin transfusion syndrome diagnosed before 26 weeks has 90 percent mortality and occurs in 15 percent of monochorionic twin pregnancies. Treatment is complex as a screening program, referral, complex surgical procedure and specialized perinatal care are required. The objective is to report the recent results in fetoscopy-guided treatment of TTTS cases in Clínica Alemana. Results: 18 new cases were treated in the latest 2 years, in a series of 36 cases from 2005. Survival of one or both twins was 72.8 percent in the first 18 cases, and 77.8 percent in the latest 18 cases. The number of cases with both survivors increased from 5/18 to 7/18. Conclusions: The outcome was similar to that reported from international series. The results are better in the later cases, according to the increasing experience in our center.

Antecedentes: El Síndrome de Transfusión Feto Fetal (STFF) diagnosticado antes de las 26 semanas tiene una mortalidad de 90 por ciento y se afecta el 15 por ciento de los gemelares monocoriales. El manejo es complejo dado que requiere un proceso de diagnostico en los centros de atención, un proceso de derivación, la cirugía y el manejo perinatal especializado posterior. Objetivo: Actualizar el resultado del tratamiento por fetoscopía en Clínica Alemana de Santiago (CAS) en los casos recientemente tratados. Resultados: Desde 2005 hasta la fecha se han tratado 36 casos con sus embarazos resueltos. La sobrevida de al menos un feto fue 77,8 por ciento en los últimos 18 casos, mostrando una mejora en relación a los primeros (72,8 por ciento). El número de embarazos con ambos fetos vivos aumento de 5 a 7. Conclusiones: El resultado materno-perinatal es similar a las series internacionales y muestran una mejora progresiva en la sobrevida en la serie tratada. Los resultados favorables se mantienen a largo plazo y se consolidan en beneficio de las pacientes.

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Propósito: Evaluar la correlación entre la ocurrencia de Restricción al Crecimiento Intrauterino (RCIU), RCIU selectivo (RCIUs) y Síndrome de Transfusión Feto-Fetal (STFF) y las características de la placenta en la gestación doble monocorial (GDM). Estimar cuál es la importancia de los hallazgos ecográficos y Doppler. Material y métodos: Entre enero del 2005 y enero de 2008 fueron evaluados 8 GDM. La corionicidad fue determinada con ecografía en el 1º trimestre. Se realizaron seguimientos ecográficos evaluando cantidad de líquido amniótico, vejiga, peso fetal y Doppler de vasos fetales. Al nacimiento se tiñeron los vasos placentarios con colorantes no vitales y se evaluó la presencia y tipo de anastomosis, la distribución de los territorios y la calidad de inserción del cordón umbilical (CU) sea central (C), marginal (M) o velamentosa (V). Resultados: Seguimiento ecográfico: discrepancia de peso > 25% (RCIUs) (n=3); peso de ambos fetos ≤ percentil 3 (RCIU) (n=1); signo ecográfico de STFF (n=1); normales (n=3). Seguimiento con Doppler: Flujo Ausente/Reverso intermitente (FA/Ri) en arteria umbilical (AU) (n=4); signos de insuficiencia placentaria en AU (n=3); normales (n=2). Complicaciones perinatales evaluadas: STFF (n=1); RCIUs (n=2); RCIU (n=1); ninguna (n=4). Territorios placentarios: distribución igual (n=6); distribución desigual (n=2). Inserción del CU: ambos M (n=3); ambos C (n=2); una C y otra M(n=2); una M y otra V (n=1). Anastomosis vasculares: presencia de anastomosis arterio-arteriales (AAA) y anastomosis arterio-venosas (AAV) en ambas direcciones (n=6); presencia de AAA y AAV en una dirección (n=1); presencia de AAV en una dirección sin AAA(n=1). El STFF se relacionó con ausencia de AAA y presencia de AV en una dirección. Los signos de insuficiencia placentaria en AU se dieron en los casos de RCIU. Los 2 RCIUs presentaron desigual distribución del territorio placentario. Conclusión: Las anastomosis vasculares están presentes en todas las GDM. Las anomalías de inserción del CU son frecuentes en GDM. En la GDM el RCIUs se relaciona con distribución desigual del territorio placentario. La presencia de FA/Ri en la AU de un feto sugiere la presencia de AAA, las que impedirían un STFF.

Objective: To correlate between the appearence of Intrauterine Fetal Growth Restriction (IFGR), Selective Intrauterine Fetal Growth Restriction (SIFGR), Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) and macroscopic findings of placentas in Monochorionic Twin Gestations. To determine the importance of ultrasound and Doppler findings. Materials and methods: Between January 2005 and January 2008 we diagnosed 8 monochorionic twin pregnancies. Chorionicity was determined with first trimester ultrasound screening. Follow-up scans were done to assess amniotic fluid volume, bladders, fetal weight and fetal Doppler ultrasound. Alter delivery, we cannulated and dyed umbilical arteries and veins in order to characterise vascular anastomoses. We also evaluated distribution of the placenta plate, and type of cord insertion (central, marginal or velamentous). Results: Follow-up scans revealed: 3 cases with selective intrauterine fetal growth restriction (SIFGR); 1 case with intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IFGR); 1 case with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS); and 3 normal pregnancies. Follow-up Doppler scans revealed: 4 cases with intermittent absent/reversed end-diastolic umbilical artery flow; 3 cases with signs of placental insufficiency; and 2 normal cases. Perinatal outcome: 1 case of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS); 2 cases of selective intrauterine fetal growth restriction (SIFGR); 1 case of intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IFGR); 4 healthy cases. Visual inspection of placental plate: equal placental sharing (6 cases); unequal placental sharing (2 cases). Types of cord insertion: both fetuses with marginal cord insertion (3 cases); both fetuses with central insertion (2 cases); one fetus with central and the other one with marginal insertion (2 cases); one fetus with marginal insertion and the other one with velamentous insertion (1 case). Vascular anastomoses: 6 cases presented arterio-arterial ansatomoses (AAA) and arterio-venous anastomoses (AVA) in both directions; 1 case showed AAA and AVA in only one direction; another case showed AVA in one direction without AAA. The only case of TTTS was related to the presence of AVA in one direction and the absence of AAA. Signs of placental insufficiency were seen in the case of intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IFGR). Both cases of SIFGR showed unequal placental distribution. Conclusions: Vascular anastomoses are present in all cases of monochorionic twin gestations. anomalies in the cord insertion are frequent in this type of pregnancies. Selective intrauterine fetal growth restriction is related to unequal distribution of the placental plate. Intermittent absent/reversed end-diastolic umbilical artery flow in one of the fetuses suggests there are arterioarterial anastomoses, which are supposed to protect against twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.