title: Endothelin concentrations in monochorionic twins with severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine endothelin (ET-1) concentrations in monochorionic twin fetuses with and without twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Fourteen monochorionic twin pregnancies complicated by TTTS and six without TTTS were studied. Matched maternal and fetal blood samples were obtained both in utero and at birth. Amniotic fluid samples were also collected from twin pairs. ET-1 concentrations were measured by radio-immunoassay. ET-1 concentrations in recipient fetuses were higher than in the donors both in utero(P < 0.001) and at birth (P < 0.01). Fetal concentrations of ET-1 in donors were similar to non-TTTS twins. Plasma ET-1 concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in recipient fetuses with severe hydrops than those with mild/no hydrops. Maternal concentrations of ET-1 were comparable in the two groups. Endothelin concentrations in recipient twins were 2(1/2) times higher than in their co-twins and this was related to the severity of hydrops.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Division of Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Institute of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bajoria
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Fisk
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000097:blood; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014469:Umbilical Arteries; D014471:Umbilical Veins
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1