Arterio-Arterial Anastomoses do not Prevent the Development of Twin Anemia-Polycythemia Sequence

Author(s):
Meir, H. van; Slaghekke, F.; Lopriore, E.; Wijngaarden, W.J. van
Published
2010
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

Abstract

Monochorionic twin pregnancies are associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. The vascular placental anastomoses in these pregnancies can cause severe complications We describe a case of twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) with an atypical placental angioarchitecture During pregnancy serial ultrasound examinations of both twins revealed no amniotic fluid discordance and no abnormal Doppler ultrasound measurements (umbilical cord pulsatility index and middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity). The twins, born at 33 + 3 weeks gestation after spontaneous onset of labour, were found to be anemic and polycythemic. respectively Placental examination with colored dye injection showed, apart from small ateriovenous anastomoses, an arterio-arterial anastomosis. As arterio-arterial anastomoses have not been described in cases with spontaneous TAPS to date, it was postulated that such anastomoses carried a protective effect against the development of this complication (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved

Twin anemia-polycythemia sequence Placental angioarchitecture Arterio-arterial anastomosis transfusion syndrome monochorionic twins placentas fetal
Date issued
2010-02-28
Language
English
Is part of
Placenta (2010), Vol. 31, no. 2, p. 163-165
hdl
1887/110049