Clinical Research Directory

Iron Deficiency Anemia in the Second and Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Iron deficiency is the most frequent cause of anemia during pregnancy and of maternal blood transfusion during the post-partum period. Intravenous administration is the fastest route to correct iron deficiency, bypassing the filter of iron intestinal absorption, the only true mechanism of iron balance regulation in the human body. Intravenous iron administration is suggested in patients who are refractory/intolerant to oral iron sulfate. This approach is expected to increase of at least 1 gr/dL the level of hemoglobin in 4 weeks. However, the intravenous route of iron administration has some drawbacks; first it is allowed only as in-hospital procedure and requires a resuscitation service, in accordance with the recommendations of the European Medicine Agency. Moreover, it is very expensive and negatively affects patient's perceived quality of life. A new oral iron formulation, Sucrosomial iron, bypassing the normal route of absorption, appears to be better tolerated and more cost-effective in correcting iron deficiency anemia at doses higher than those usually effective with other oral iron formulations. The hypothesis of the present study is that oral sucrosomial iron can correct iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy comparably to intravenous ferrous sulphate, with less side effects.

Non-invasive Detection of Iron Deficiency in Obstetrics

Validation of non-invasive measurement of zinc protoporphyrin for detection of iron deficiency in pregnancy. In addition, the impact of iron deficiency on the incidence of postpartum depression, restless legs syndrome, obstetric complications and quality of life will be examined.

Effect of Spinal Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Cases on Frontal QRS Angle in Anemic and Non-Anemic Patients

The QRS-T angle represents a novel marker of myocardial repolarisation. It is defined as the angle difference between the direction of ventricular depolarisation (QRS wave) and the direction of ventricular repolarisation (T wave). It is an indicator of instability in the electrophysiological properties of the myocardium and is associated with arrhythmias. The frontal QRS-T angle is a straightforward, cost-effective parameter that can be readily obtained from 12-lead electrocardiography. The most prevalent arrhythmias during pregnancy are atrial arrhythmias. However, ventricular tachyarrhythmias are exceedingly rare during pregnancy and may be life-threatening. Caesarean section is one of the most common surgical procedures. General anaesthesia, spinal anaesthesia and epidural anaesthesia can be employed in these patients. Spinal anaesthesia is a frequently employed method in caesarean section operations due to its rapid onset of effect, technical simplicity of application and higher probability of success. In pregnant women, anaemia is defined as a haemoglobin concentration below 11 mg/dL in the first trimester, 11 mg/dL in the second trimester and 10.5 mg/dL in the third trimester.