title: Laser ablation of placental anastomoses in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: preoperative predictors of death by recursive partitioning.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to develop a simple clinical algorithm for prediction of donor and recipient death using 'yes'or 'no' questions through the process of recursive partitioning for patients undergoing laser therapy for twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The intent was to identify a subset of patients with very high specificity to whom clinical decisions would be simplified.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary analysis of data retrospectively collected from laser procedures was performed for TTTS at NAFTNet centers from 2002 to 2009. Preoperative factors associated with donor and recipient death were identified by recursive partitioning regression analysis. Classification And Regression Trees (CARTs) were developed to refine specificity for prediction of death.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 466 TTTS patients from eight centers. CARTs were obtained for prediction of donor death. Improved specificity was achieved through recursive partitioning as demonstrated in receiver operator characteristic curves for prediction of death of the donor. There was less than optimal predictive ability for prediction of death in the recipient, as demonstrated by lack of generation of CARTs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recursive partitioning improves the specificity and refines the prediction of donor fetal and neonatal demise in TTTS treated with laser therapy. This has the potential to improve therapeutic choices and refine counseling regarding outcomes.
authors: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. dwskupsk@med.cornell.edu
authors: Daniel W
authors: DW
authors: Skupski
authors: Francois I
authors: FI
authors: Luks
authors: Ramesha
authors: R
authors: Papanna
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Walker
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Bebbington
authors: Greg
authors: G
authors: Ryan
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: O'Shaughnessy
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Moldenhauer
authors: Ozan
authors: O
authors: Bahtiyar
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001163:Arteriovenous Anastomosis / Q000601:surgery*; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D005260:Female; D005330:Fetofetal Transfusion / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D016015:Logistic Models; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010920:Placenta / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies