In utero fetal oximetry via visible light spectroscopy in twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess fetal tissue venous oxygenation (StO2%) in utero during laser therapy for twin-twin transfusion syndrome via visible light spectroscopy (VLS).


METHODS
StO2% was measured in 10 donor and recipient twins at the level of the skin and placenta before and after laser therapy (SLPCV).


RESULTS
Pre-SLPCV skin StO2% was significantly lower in the donor than in the recipient twin (21.6 +/- 6.2 vs 31.2 +/- 8.6, respectively; P = .01), but the difference disappeared after SLPCV. Placental surface StO2% measurements in 5 patients showed a significant increase in StO2% in the territory of the recipient (P = .04). Preoperative linear streaming as evidence of nonadmixing deoxygenated and oxygenated blood disappeared after SLPCV.


CONCLUSIONS
In utero StO2% measurement is possible with VLS. Donor twins can have significantly less StO2% than recipient twins, but this is corrected after SLPCV. Further studies are warranted to determine the value of in utero VLS oximetry.
Quintero
Rubén A
RA
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Chmait
Ramen H
RH
Carver
Jane
J
Bornick
Patricia W
PW
Allen
Mary H
MH
Kontopoulos
Eftichia V
EV
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D046689:Fetal Mortality / Q000639:trends; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D010092:Oximetry / Q000379:methods*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic