Objective: To address the issue of limited national data on the prevalence and distribution of underlying conditions among COVID-19 deaths between sexes and across age groups. Patients and Methods: All adult (18 years) deaths recorded in England and Wales (March 1, 2020, to May 12, 2020) were analyzed retrospectively. We compared the prevalence of underlying health conditions between COVID and noneCOVID-related deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of COVID-19 compared with other primary causes of death, stratified by sex and age group. Results: Of 144,279 adult deaths recorded during the study period, 36,438 (25.3%) were confirmed COVID deaths. Women represented 43.2% (n¼15,731) of COVID deaths compared with 51.9% (n¼55,980) in non-COVID deaths. Overall, COVID deaths were younger than non-COVID deaths (82 vs 83 years). ASMR of COVID-19 was higher than all other common primary causes of death, across age groups and sexes, except for cancers in women between the ages of 30 and 79 years. A linear relationship was observed between ASMR and age among COVID-19 deaths, with persistently higher rates in men than women across all age groups. The most prevalent reported conditions were hypertension, dementia, chronic lung disease, and diabetes, and these were higher among COVID deaths. Pre-existing ischemic heart disease was similar in COVID (11.4%) and non-COVID (12%) deaths. Conclusion: In a nationwide analysis, COVID-19 infection was associated with higher agestandardized mortality than other primary causes of death, except cancer in women of select age groups. COVID-19 mortality was persistently higher in men and increased with advanced age.

Our findings clearly demonstrated that thrombin treatment selectively increased the concentration of MMP-9 in culture media of amniochorionic membranes. Our results provide a potential mechanism through which alterations in hemostasis promote PPROM through thrombin-dependent stimulation of MMP-9.

Introduction: Twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence is a rare complication of monochorionic pregnancies that is characterized by the presence of an acardiac mass perfused by an apparently normal pump twin. The risk of death to the pump twin has led to a range of therapeutic interventions aimed at separating their vascular connection. We report a novel application of microwave ablation for vessel coagulation in the treatment of twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence. Material and Methods: Microwave ablation has been adopted by surgical subspecialties as a superior energy source for vessel and tissue ablation as it creates heat without a circuit and has less thermal spread. We describe the use of a 2.45-GHz microwave system using a 1.8-mm antenna to coagulate the intra-abdominal portion of umbilical vessels of the acardiac mass. Results: We report 6 cases of twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence treated by microwave ablation. All patients were treated with microwave ablation with successful coagulation of intra-abdominal umbilical cord vessels of the acardiac mass with cessation of flow. Discussion: Microwave ablation is an excellent energy source for vessel coagulation due to its thermal properties and can be used effectively in the treatment of twin-reversed arterial perfusion sequence.

Laser treatment for TTTS causes rapid improvement in the cardiac function of recipient fetuses. The severity of recipient preoperative MPI does not correlate with survival of either twin postoperatively.

Objective: To describe a new technique for wound closure after endoscopic intrauterine procedures which prevents amniotic fluid leakage after the procedure. Study Design: This is an observational study which reviews a new technique under an IRB-approved protocol. The rationale for this study was the increasing frequency of intrauterine endoscopic procedures. The most common complication of these procedures is persistent leakage of amniotic fluid from puncture sites, which can result in preterm labor and preterm delivery. Thus, these procedures carry a high morbidity rate that may overcome the benefit of the intervention. We have employed a new technique, which has successfully prevented amniotic fluid leakage following the procedure. The instruments used for the endoscopic procedures were no larger than 3.5 mm for all cases. A sealant of platelets was rapidly injected followed by injection of fibrin glue and powdered collagen slurry at each puncture site. Sonography for modified AFI, clinical examination for nitrazine and ferning, and pad count were performed after each procedure at three intervals: immediately after the procedure, 24 h and 48 h. Results: Eight patients undergoing an endoscopic intrauterine procedure (either cord ligation for twin-twin transfusion syndrome or sealing of ruptured membranes after amniocentesis) were included. All patients were treated between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation. Sonography, clinical examination and pad count revealed no evidence of amniotic fluid leakage either intra-abdominally or vaginally in any of the patients. There was 1 patient who ruptured membranes 12 h after the procedure due to severe vomiting. Another patient elected to terminate the pregnancy 48 h after the procedure without evidence of leakage. The remaining patients continued for 8 weeks or more without fluid leakage. Conclusion: The technique described, immediate sealing of puncture wounds following endoscopic intrauterine procedures, is effective in preventing amniotic fluid loss after the procedure.