Trabalhos Originais Archives - Page 3 of 51 - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):303-308
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600002
Objective: to compare mammographic density changes, case by case, according to image digitization in three consecutive evaluations of users or nonusers of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). Methods: 59 postmenopausal women were evaluated, 43 being users of cyclic or continuous estro-progestin hormonal replacement therapy, and 16 nonusers. The criteria of inclusion were: amenorrhea for at least 12 months, a normal mammographic examination at the beginning of the HRT (users) or the clinical follow-up without HRT (nonusers), at two incidences (mediolateral and craniocaudal). The following variables were used for the evaluation of mammary density: initial change - the difference between the first mammography after HRT performed in 12 ± 3 months and the mammography performed before HRT-and final change - the difference between the second mammography after HRT performed in 24 ± 3 months and the mammography performed before HRT. Wilcoxon and c² tests were used in order to evaluate the differences in mammographic density changes. Results: more than half (56.3%) of the women, HRT users with initial increase in mammographic density remained with the increase after the final evaluation. This finding was not significant (p=0.617). In the same group, the initial nonincrease was significantly associated with the final nonincrease (p=0.017). Among the nonusers, all breasts that were not totally fat at the initial evaluation presented a mammographic density decrease at the final evaluation. Conclusions: the majority of HRT users presenting mammographic density increase at the first evaluation, after approximately one year of use, remained with the increase at a second evaluation. After some time, the nonusers tended to present a significant mammographic density decrease (p=0.003).
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):303-308
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600002
Objective: to compare mammographic density changes, case by case, according to image digitization in three consecutive evaluations of users or nonusers of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). Methods: 59 postmenopausal women were evaluated, 43 being users of cyclic or continuous estro-progestin hormonal replacement therapy, and 16 nonusers. The criteria of inclusion were: amenorrhea for at least 12 months, a normal mammographic examination at the beginning of the HRT (users) or the clinical follow-up without HRT (nonusers), at two incidences (mediolateral and craniocaudal). The following variables were used for the evaluation of mammary density: initial change - the difference between the first mammography after HRT performed in 12 ± 3 months and the mammography performed before HRT-and final change - the difference between the second mammography after HRT performed in 24 ± 3 months and the mammography performed before HRT. Wilcoxon and c² tests were used in order to evaluate the differences in mammographic density changes. Results: more than half (56.3%) of the women, HRT users with initial increase in mammographic density remained with the increase after the final evaluation. This finding was not significant (p=0.617). In the same group, the initial nonincrease was significantly associated with the final nonincrease (p=0.017). Among the nonusers, all breasts that were not totally fat at the initial evaluation presented a mammographic density decrease at the final evaluation. Conclusions: the majority of HRT users presenting mammographic density increase at the first evaluation, after approximately one year of use, remained with the increase at a second evaluation. After some time, the nonusers tended to present a significant mammographic density decrease (p=0.003).
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):309-313
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600003
Objective: to evaluate variations in body weight, arterial blood pressure, fasting glucose, HbA1C, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, Sgot, SGPT, GGT and bilirubin in women bearing a single subdermal Silastic implant containing 55 mg (+ 10%) of nomegestrol acetate during two years. Methods: eighteen healthy volunteers of reproductive age who desired to use anticonceptive drugs and who did not present contraindications to hormonal contraception participated in the study. All women were investigated before starting treatment and were followed-up for two years. At the end of the first year the capsules were inserted. Results: body weight increased from 54.9 + 1.5 kg at admission to 55.3 + 2.0 kg at 12 months of use (p<0.05) and from 56.0 + 2.7 kg at 24 months of use. There was a slight increase in arterial blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic, at month 12 (p<0.01). At month 24, the arterial blood pressure was not significantly different from the values at admission. All values were within the normal range. Insulin, HbA1C, LDL-C and GGT remained unchanged during the use of the implant. A significant decrease in total cholesterol (p<0.05) was observed in the third month and of HDL-C (p<0.01) in the sixth month. All lipoprotein alterations were inconsistent and values were within the normal range. Significant increases in fast glucose (p<0.05 and p<0.01) were observed in the third and sixth months, respectively. Significant SGOT decreases (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05) were observed in months 6, 18 and 24, respectively, and of SGPT (p<0.05) in month 18. Significant bilirubin increase (p<0.05) was observed only in the third month of implant use. All these variations remained within the normal range. Conclusions: these results show that, within the normal range, fasting glucose variations do not correlate with alterations in insulin levels. The slight serum lipoprotein, SGTO, SGPT and insulin alterations were transient. No clinical effects could be observed regarding lipoproteins, carbohydrate metabolism, insulin levels and liver function among the users during the two years.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):309-313
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600003
Objective: to evaluate variations in body weight, arterial blood pressure, fasting glucose, HbA1C, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, Sgot, SGPT, GGT and bilirubin in women bearing a single subdermal Silastic implant containing 55 mg (+ 10%) of nomegestrol acetate during two years. Methods: eighteen healthy volunteers of reproductive age who desired to use anticonceptive drugs and who did not present contraindications to hormonal contraception participated in the study. All women were investigated before starting treatment and were followed-up for two years. At the end of the first year the capsules were inserted. Results: body weight increased from 54.9 + 1.5 kg at admission to 55.3 + 2.0 kg at 12 months of use (p<0.05) and from 56.0 + 2.7 kg at 24 months of use. There was a slight increase in arterial blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic, at month 12 (p<0.01). At month 24, the arterial blood pressure was not significantly different from the values at admission. All values were within the normal range. Insulin, HbA1C, LDL-C and GGT remained unchanged during the use of the implant. A significant decrease in total cholesterol (p<0.05) was observed in the third month and of HDL-C (p<0.01) in the sixth month. All lipoprotein alterations were inconsistent and values were within the normal range. Significant increases in fast glucose (p<0.05 and p<0.01) were observed in the third and sixth months, respectively. Significant SGOT decreases (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05) were observed in months 6, 18 and 24, respectively, and of SGPT (p<0.05) in month 18. Significant bilirubin increase (p<0.05) was observed only in the third month of implant use. All these variations remained within the normal range. Conclusions: these results show that, within the normal range, fasting glucose variations do not correlate with alterations in insulin levels. The slight serum lipoprotein, SGTO, SGPT and insulin alterations were transient. No clinical effects could be observed regarding lipoproteins, carbohydrate metabolism, insulin levels and liver function among the users during the two years.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):315-321
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600004
The objective was to evaluate the accuracy of the foam stability test, lecithin/sphingomyelin (LS) ratio, presence of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and lung profile (L/S ratio > 1.7 and PG present simultaneously) in 121 consecutive high-risk gestations at the São Paulo Hospital from January 1990 to January 1995. Delivery occurred within 3 days of fetal lung maturation testing. This is a prospective study in which the sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of all the tests were determined. Neonatal respiratory outcome and amniocentesis results were stratified by gestational age for comparison. The distribution of the studied population according to maternal pathology was diabetes mellitus (48), hypertensive disorders (41), Rh isoimmunization (14) and miscellaneous (18). Respiratory distress (RD) was present in 33 infants (27.2%), mainly in the diabetic group. There was no false negative using lung profile (all patients) and foam stability tests among hypertensive pregnancies (specificity 100%), but there were about 20% to 50% false positives in the other tests. Overall, all four tests had a low PPV: 23% for foam test, 51% for L/S ratio, 63% for PG, 61% for lung profile, and high NPV: 92% for foam test, 88% for L/S ratio, 89% for PG and 100% for lung profile. All tests had less accuracy in the diabetic pregnant women. This study shows that the presence of PG and L/S ratio > 1.7 in the amniotic fluid of high-risk pregnancies confirms maturity with a very low risk to develop RD and that the foam stability test was useful as a first-line test to predict the absence of surfactant-deficient respiratory distress syndrome, particularly in hypertensive pregnant women.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):315-321
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600004
The objective was to evaluate the accuracy of the foam stability test, lecithin/sphingomyelin (LS) ratio, presence of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and lung profile (L/S ratio > 1.7 and PG present simultaneously) in 121 consecutive high-risk gestations at the São Paulo Hospital from January 1990 to January 1995. Delivery occurred within 3 days of fetal lung maturation testing. This is a prospective study in which the sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of all the tests were determined. Neonatal respiratory outcome and amniocentesis results were stratified by gestational age for comparison. The distribution of the studied population according to maternal pathology was diabetes mellitus (48), hypertensive disorders (41), Rh isoimmunization (14) and miscellaneous (18). Respiratory distress (RD) was present in 33 infants (27.2%), mainly in the diabetic group. There was no false negative using lung profile (all patients) and foam stability tests among hypertensive pregnancies (specificity 100%), but there were about 20% to 50% false positives in the other tests. Overall, all four tests had a low PPV: 23% for foam test, 51% for L/S ratio, 63% for PG, 61% for lung profile, and high NPV: 92% for foam test, 88% for L/S ratio, 89% for PG and 100% for lung profile. All tests had less accuracy in the diabetic pregnant women. This study shows that the presence of PG and L/S ratio > 1.7 in the amniotic fluid of high-risk pregnancies confirms maturity with a very low risk to develop RD and that the foam stability test was useful as a first-line test to predict the absence of surfactant-deficient respiratory distress syndrome, particularly in hypertensive pregnant women.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):325-331
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600005
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the association bupivacaine with sufentanil for labor and delivery analgesia through a continuous epidural blockade, for both mother and the neonate. A randomized double blind prospective clinical trial was performed including sixty nulliparous women at the Maternity of CAISM/UNICAMP. When requesting analgesia, the women were randomly allocated to two groups: BS, receiving 12.5 mg of bupivacaine with adrenaline plus 30 µg of sufentanil and BP, receiving 12.5 mg of bupivacaine with adrenaline plus placebo. The parameters concerning the quality and duration of analgesia, duration of labor, and also possible effects on the neonate were evaluated. The results showed the superiority of the addition of sufentanil regarding the degree of analgesia during the time of action of the first dose of the local anesthetic. There was no increase in the duration of labor after the onset of analgesia when comparing both groups, nor any difference in the route of delivery. Concerning neonate evaluation, there were no differences between the two groups. It is concluded that the association of 30 µg of sufentanil with the first dose of bupivacaine is safe and efficacious. It improved the quality of analgesia, increased its duration, and did not affect the progress of labor and neonatal outcome.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):325-331
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600005
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the association bupivacaine with sufentanil for labor and delivery analgesia through a continuous epidural blockade, for both mother and the neonate. A randomized double blind prospective clinical trial was performed including sixty nulliparous women at the Maternity of CAISM/UNICAMP. When requesting analgesia, the women were randomly allocated to two groups: BS, receiving 12.5 mg of bupivacaine with adrenaline plus 30 µg of sufentanil and BP, receiving 12.5 mg of bupivacaine with adrenaline plus placebo. The parameters concerning the quality and duration of analgesia, duration of labor, and also possible effects on the neonate were evaluated. The results showed the superiority of the addition of sufentanil regarding the degree of analgesia during the time of action of the first dose of the local anesthetic. There was no increase in the duration of labor after the onset of analgesia when comparing both groups, nor any difference in the route of delivery. Concerning neonate evaluation, there were no differences between the two groups. It is concluded that the association of 30 µg of sufentanil with the first dose of bupivacaine is safe and efficacious. It improved the quality of analgesia, increased its duration, and did not affect the progress of labor and neonatal outcome.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):335-341
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600006
Objective: to analyze maternal and fetal folate status in cases of neural tube defects (NTD). Methods: a case-control study was designed with 14 cases of fetuses with neural tube defects (study group) and 14 cases of fetuses with other unrelated malformations (control group) gestational age matched, in low-risk pregnant women. Both total and methylated folic acid levels in fetal and maternal compartments using serum and tissular (red blood cells) concentrations and also average corpuscular volume, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were determined. Fetal and maternal samples were obtained immediately before termination of pregnancy. Results in both groups were compared using a gestational age paired t-test. Results: there were no statistically significant differences in fetal folate levels and fetal hematologic parameters between both groups However, both total (239.9 ng/mL in NTD against 399.1 ng/mL in control group, p=0.01) and methylated (201.9 ng/mL in NTD against 314.0 ng/mL in control group, p=0.02) maternal red blood cells folate levels were significantly lower in the neural tube defect group. Maternal serum folate levels were similar in study and control groups. Conclusion: this study showed that maternal red blood cell folate but not serum folate was significantly reduced in mothers of fetuses with neural tube defects.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):335-341
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600006
Objective: to analyze maternal and fetal folate status in cases of neural tube defects (NTD). Methods: a case-control study was designed with 14 cases of fetuses with neural tube defects (study group) and 14 cases of fetuses with other unrelated malformations (control group) gestational age matched, in low-risk pregnant women. Both total and methylated folic acid levels in fetal and maternal compartments using serum and tissular (red blood cells) concentrations and also average corpuscular volume, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were determined. Fetal and maternal samples were obtained immediately before termination of pregnancy. Results in both groups were compared using a gestational age paired t-test. Results: there were no statistically significant differences in fetal folate levels and fetal hematologic parameters between both groups However, both total (239.9 ng/mL in NTD against 399.1 ng/mL in control group, p=0.01) and methylated (201.9 ng/mL in NTD against 314.0 ng/mL in control group, p=0.02) maternal red blood cells folate levels were significantly lower in the neural tube defect group. Maternal serum folate levels were similar in study and control groups. Conclusion: this study showed that maternal red blood cell folate but not serum folate was significantly reduced in mothers of fetuses with neural tube defects.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):342-349
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600007
Objectives: to determine prognostic factors for vaginal delivery in pregnant women after previous cesarean section admitted to CAM-IMIP in labor.Patients and Methods: a case-control study was performed, analyzing all deliveries of patients with previous cesarean section admitted to CAM-IMIP between January 1991 and December 1994. Patients who had a cesarean section (n=156) were considered cases while patients with a vaginal birth were the controls (n=338). Inclusion criteria were: gestational age > 36 weeks, previous cesarean section at least 1 year before, alive fetus, spontaneous labor and vertex presentation. Patients with high-risk pregnancies, acute fetal distress and a previous vaginal delivery after cesarean section were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed with in Epi-Info 6.0 and Epi-Soft, using c² test, Fisher's exact test and Student's "t" test. Odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval was calculated and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed for the control of confounding factors. Results: overall rate of cesarean section was 31.6%. Maternal factors significantly associated with vaginal delivery were age < 20 years (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.18-3.66) or > 35 years (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.36-0.82), history of vaginal delivery (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.01-2.55) and complications of pregnancy as indication for previous cesarean section (OR = 3.67, 95% CI =1.19-12.02). A significant association with vaginal delivery could not be detected for other variables: interval between previous cesarean section and present delivery, other indications for cesarean section and type of uterine suture. In a multiple logistic regression model the variables that remained associated with vaginal delivery were maternal age and previous vaginal delivery. Conclusions: maternal age below 20 years, previous cesarean section indicated due to gestational complications and previous vaginal delivery were favorably associated with vaginal delivery in patients with prior cesarean section. Risk of repeated cesarean section is increased in pregnant women aged 35 years or above. These factors should be contemplated when obstetrical evaluation of the delivery route is performed.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):342-349
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600007
Objectives: to determine prognostic factors for vaginal delivery in pregnant women after previous cesarean section admitted to CAM-IMIP in labor.Patients and Methods: a case-control study was performed, analyzing all deliveries of patients with previous cesarean section admitted to CAM-IMIP between January 1991 and December 1994. Patients who had a cesarean section (n=156) were considered cases while patients with a vaginal birth were the controls (n=338). Inclusion criteria were: gestational age > 36 weeks, previous cesarean section at least 1 year before, alive fetus, spontaneous labor and vertex presentation. Patients with high-risk pregnancies, acute fetal distress and a previous vaginal delivery after cesarean section were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed with in Epi-Info 6.0 and Epi-Soft, using c² test, Fisher's exact test and Student's "t" test. Odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval was calculated and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed for the control of confounding factors. Results: overall rate of cesarean section was 31.6%. Maternal factors significantly associated with vaginal delivery were age < 20 years (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.18-3.66) or > 35 years (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.36-0.82), history of vaginal delivery (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.01-2.55) and complications of pregnancy as indication for previous cesarean section (OR = 3.67, 95% CI =1.19-12.02). A significant association with vaginal delivery could not be detected for other variables: interval between previous cesarean section and present delivery, other indications for cesarean section and type of uterine suture. In a multiple logistic regression model the variables that remained associated with vaginal delivery were maternal age and previous vaginal delivery. Conclusions: maternal age below 20 years, previous cesarean section indicated due to gestational complications and previous vaginal delivery were favorably associated with vaginal delivery in patients with prior cesarean section. Risk of repeated cesarean section is increased in pregnant women aged 35 years or above. These factors should be contemplated when obstetrical evaluation of the delivery route is performed.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):350-356
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600008
Objective: to evaluate the uterine cervix by digital and transvaginal ultrasound examinations in pregnant women at high risk of having premature delivery. Methods: during the period between February 1995 and September 1997, 38 pregnant women at high risk of having premature delivery between the 20th and 36th week of gestation were examined. These patients were submitted weekly to both digital and transvaginal ultrasound examinations. The digital examination evaluated the uterine cervix using two parameters: length and dilation. The transvaginal ultrasound studied the length and the anteroposterior diameter of the uterine cervix. The behavior of these cervical measurements was analyzed throughout the pregnancies. The two methods were compared regarding cervical evaluation and accuracy of premature birth diagnosis. Results: the rate of premature deliveries was 18.4% (7/38). Digital examination resulted in cervical evaluations with variation coefficients of 30.3% for length and 193% for dilation. Transvaginal ultrasound resulted in cervical evaluations with variation coefficients of 14.7% and 26.5% for the anteroposterior diameter and length, respectively. The cervical length measures obtained on ultrasound were always greater than those obtained on digital examination. Through analysis with the hypothesis test, an indirect relationship was observed between the cervical length and the gestational period for digital examination and ultrasound study (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively), and a direct relationship between the cervical dilation and the gestational age observed on the digital examination (p<0.01). Conclusions: among the parameters studied by means of the digital and transvaginal ultrasound examinations, the ultrasound cervical length presented the best accuracy in the diagnosis of premature birth, proving to be more reliable for the evaluation of cervical alterations in pregnant women at high risk of premature delivery.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(6):350-356
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600008
Objective: to evaluate the uterine cervix by digital and transvaginal ultrasound examinations in pregnant women at high risk of having premature delivery. Methods: during the period between February 1995 and September 1997, 38 pregnant women at high risk of having premature delivery between the 20th and 36th week of gestation were examined. These patients were submitted weekly to both digital and transvaginal ultrasound examinations. The digital examination evaluated the uterine cervix using two parameters: length and dilation. The transvaginal ultrasound studied the length and the anteroposterior diameter of the uterine cervix. The behavior of these cervical measurements was analyzed throughout the pregnancies. The two methods were compared regarding cervical evaluation and accuracy of premature birth diagnosis. Results: the rate of premature deliveries was 18.4% (7/38). Digital examination resulted in cervical evaluations with variation coefficients of 30.3% for length and 193% for dilation. Transvaginal ultrasound resulted in cervical evaluations with variation coefficients of 14.7% and 26.5% for the anteroposterior diameter and length, respectively. The cervical length measures obtained on ultrasound were always greater than those obtained on digital examination. Through analysis with the hypothesis test, an indirect relationship was observed between the cervical length and the gestational period for digital examination and ultrasound study (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively), and a direct relationship between the cervical dilation and the gestational age observed on the digital examination (p<0.01). Conclusions: among the parameters studied by means of the digital and transvaginal ultrasound examinations, the ultrasound cervical length presented the best accuracy in the diagnosis of premature birth, proving to be more reliable for the evaluation of cervical alterations in pregnant women at high risk of premature delivery.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(3):127-135
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000300002
A prospective study was performed with 42 patients with unruptured ectopic pregnancy, which intended to elaborate an index to orient the systemic treatment with the administration of a single intramuscular dose of methotrexate (50 mg/m²). Patients were monitored with beta-hCG titers on days 1, 4 and 7 after the methotrexate. When the titers of beta-hCG declined more than 15%, between days 4 and 7 after methotrexate, the patients were discharged and had an outpatient follow-up monitored with beta-hCG titers weekly until the titers were less than 5 mIU/ml, which represents success of the treatment. We prepared an index for the systemic treatment with methotrexate, with five parameters: (1) initial titers of beta-hCG; (2) aspects of the image at ultrasound (hematosalpinx, gestational sac, live embryo); (3) size of the mass; (4) free fluid in cul-de-sac; (5) collor doppler. Each parameter received a grade from 0 to 2. Grade 0 represented bad prognosis, favorable parameters received grade 2 and borderline parameters received grade one. The success rate with a single dose of methotrexate was 69.0% (29/42). The color doppler was performed in 20 of the 42 patients; in this group of 20 patients the success rate was 75.0% (15/20). In the 22 patients who were not submitted to the color doppler, the average grade of the score in the successful cases was 6.6, and in the unsuccessful it was 3.1. In the group who underwent the doppler (20 patients) the average was 7.9 in the successful cases and 4.2 in the cases that failed. In the present study the cut-off grade was 5, for most of the patients with grades above 5 had a successful treatment (15/16 - 93.75%), while grades equal or below 5 failed. The score will help to indicate the best cases for the medical treatment. We do not advise the treatment when the grade is equal or below 5. Therefore, we can predict a good evolution of the treatment when the grade is above five.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(3):127-135
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000300002
A prospective study was performed with 42 patients with unruptured ectopic pregnancy, which intended to elaborate an index to orient the systemic treatment with the administration of a single intramuscular dose of methotrexate (50 mg/m²). Patients were monitored with beta-hCG titers on days 1, 4 and 7 after the methotrexate. When the titers of beta-hCG declined more than 15%, between days 4 and 7 after methotrexate, the patients were discharged and had an outpatient follow-up monitored with beta-hCG titers weekly until the titers were less than 5 mIU/ml, which represents success of the treatment. We prepared an index for the systemic treatment with methotrexate, with five parameters: (1) initial titers of beta-hCG; (2) aspects of the image at ultrasound (hematosalpinx, gestational sac, live embryo); (3) size of the mass; (4) free fluid in cul-de-sac; (5) collor doppler. Each parameter received a grade from 0 to 2. Grade 0 represented bad prognosis, favorable parameters received grade 2 and borderline parameters received grade one. The success rate with a single dose of methotrexate was 69.0% (29/42). The color doppler was performed in 20 of the 42 patients; in this group of 20 patients the success rate was 75.0% (15/20). In the 22 patients who were not submitted to the color doppler, the average grade of the score in the successful cases was 6.6, and in the unsuccessful it was 3.1. In the group who underwent the doppler (20 patients) the average was 7.9 in the successful cases and 4.2 in the cases that failed. In the present study the cut-off grade was 5, for most of the patients with grades above 5 had a successful treatment (15/16 - 93.75%), while grades equal or below 5 failed. The score will help to indicate the best cases for the medical treatment. We do not advise the treatment when the grade is equal or below 5. Therefore, we can predict a good evolution of the treatment when the grade is above five.
