Objectives: Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a key enzyme for fibrin degradation and the proteolytic defense against formation of the thrombotic endothelial deposits. tPA is involved in carcinogenesis but its exact role in tumor biology is not very well understood and a prognostic value of tPA remains ambiguous in different cancers. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value of plasma tPA in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in the course of the first line chemotherapy. Material and methods: the study covered 60 patients with EOC who underwent the 1 st line chemotherapy. Plasma tPA was assessed at onset, after 3 and 6 cycles of chemotherapy. The groups were stratified according to tPA level at onset of chemotherapy (low tPA group < 6.5 mg/L, N = 37 and high tPA group > 6.5 mg/L, N = 23). Survival analysis was repeated for the cutoff of tPA level at 6.5 mg/L and 5.1 mg/L after 3 and 6 cycles. Results: Only subjects with tPA > 6.5 mg/L at onset of chemotherapy had a significantly lower probability of a 5-year survival (34.8% vs. 72.7%, P < 0.006) and lower chance for disease free survival within 5 years (39.3% vs. 72.7%, P < 0.014). tPA < 6.5 mg/L plasma level evaluated at onset of chemotherapy was an independent marker of better overall survival (RR = 0.44, 95%CI = 0.19-0.98) but not disease-free survival. Conclusions: Plasma tPA may serve as a marker of survival if assessed at onset of the first line chemotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer.

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Objectives: To investigate the cardiac defects (CHD) found in association with an increased nuchal translucency (NT). Methods: Patients referred from January 1998 until February 2007 with an NT ≥ 95 th percentile at 11-14 weeks and where a cardiac defect was found were included. Chromosome analysis, fetal echocardiography and postnatal echocardiography were performed. After pregnancy termination a postmortem examination was performed when possible. Results: CHD were identified in 63 fetuses (major CHD in 50; 79%). The median NT was 4.8 (range, 2.6−13) mm. Group 1 included 36 fetuses (57%) with a normal karyotype. Median NT was 5.2 (range, 2.8−9) mm. Twenty-four (66.7%) had major CHD. CHD included VSD (10), HLHS (four), TGV (three), AVSD (three), PA + VSD/TOF (two), PS (two), uncertain cardiac diagnosis with hydrops (two), aortic arch abnormalities (two), PDA (two), DORV (one), ASD (one), tricuspid atresia (one), aortic incompetence (one), mitral valve abnormality (one) and persistent right umbilical vein (one). Group 2 included seven fetuses (11%) with a genetic disorder including: 18p deletion (two), 22q11 deletion (two), Coffin-Siris (one) and Holt-Oram (one). CHD found included HLHS, TGV, truncus arteriosus, VSD (two), ASD and DORV. Group 3 included 20 fetuses (32%) with abnormal numeric karyotype including 10 trisomy 21, six trisomy 18, two XO, one trisomy 13 and one trisomy 9. Median NT was 4.7 (range, 2.6−13) mm. Nineteen had major CHD. CHD found with trisomy 21 included AVSD (six), inlet VSD (two) and RV non-compaction (one). In fetuses with trisomy 18, VSD (two), polyvalvular disease (two), HLHS (one) and aortic arch abnormality (one) were found. Both fetuses with XO had HLHS. PA + VSD was found with trisomy 13 and truncus arteriosus in trisomy 9. Conclusions: Various CHD are associated with an increased NT. Conotruncal defects, branchial arch derivative defects, left and right obstructive lesions and shunts were seen. Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage and cor triatriatum were not seen; thus abnormal targeted growth is not the mechanism linking CHD and an increased NT. OC95Feasibility of the first level transabdominal screening for cardiac defects at the time of NT measurements using a new high-definition blood flow imaging mode Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology -DMCO San Paolo-Milan, ItalyObjectives: To test the efficacy of a new high-definition blood flow imaging mode (e-flow), not based on the transmission method of Doppler technology, for the visualization of four chambers and great-vessels sections in fetuses at 11 + 0-13 + 6 weeks of gestation (wg), during the measurement of NT performed by first-level operators in comparison with information obtained from B-Mode alone. Methods: Some 300 consecutive fetuses at 11-13 + 6 wg, referred for NT measurements, were examined by three first-level operators. Cardiac morphology was screened by B-mode and e-flow mode (Aloka Prosound SSD Alpha 10), with two main sections (four chambers and three-vessels view), according to standardized methodology. Qual...

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Conclusion:Influence of ethnicity on fetal nasal bone length was not significant. Our preliminary results showed for the Brazilian population was not necessary the first-trimester screening adjustment for ethnicity. Objective: To assess the relationship between amniotic fluid sample volume, culture time and culture failure in prenatal diagnosis. Method: We retrospectively evaluated the results of 225 cases of genetic amniocentesis performed between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation. Cases were separated into four groups according to the amount of amniotic fluid obtained: Group A (n = 12, 1 to 5 mL); Group B (n = 23, 6 to 10 mL); Group C (n = 10, 11 to 15 mL); Group D, (n = 180, 16-20 mL). Results: Culture time was significantly longer in Group A than in the other groups. (median 19 days vs. 12.5, 10, 11 days). Even if differences in culture time within Groups B to D were not significant, there was a trend towards an increase in culture time with decreasing amniotic fluid volumes. Moreover, risk of culture failure was also increased with smaller volumes. There were no culture failures in Groups B, C and D but two culture failures in Group A. Conclusion: When necessary, small amniotic fluid volumes (at least 10 mL) may be used for fetal karyotyping with confidence after information of the family. Small volumes of amniotic fluid increase culture time and rate of culture failure. P01.33 P01.34 Evaluation of complications after the genetic amniocentesis 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warsaw, PolandObjective: To evaluate complications after genetic amniocentesis. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 1153 women who underwent genetic amniocentesis from 1999 to 2005, which was done by ultrasound-guided insertion of a 22-gauge needle. The mean maternal age was 37 ± 4 years. 1148 (99%) women were in singleton pregnancy, 4 (0.03%) in twin pregnancy and one (0.08%) in triplet pregnancy. Results: Amniocentesis was performed between 12 and 32 weeks' gestation (mean 14 ± 1 weeks). The most common indication for amniocentesis was maternal age over 35 year -988 (86%). 17 (1.4%) patients had pregnancy loss after amniocentesis: 7 (0.6%) women had missed abortion and 10 (0.8%) had amniotic fluid leakage. 1 (0.1%) had pain in hypogastrium after the procedure, but she delivered at term. In 8 (0.7%) cases the cell culture of amniotic fluid was unsuccessful and procedure was repeated. Conclusions:The pregnancy loss rate in women who underwent genetic amniocentesis was 1.4%. P01.35Ultrasound screening for chromosomal abnormalities by fetal nuchal translucency measurement between 11-14 weeks of gestation Federal University of Espirito Santo, UFES, University Hospital HUCAM, Vitoria Medfetus, BrazilObjective: To assess the feasibility of nuchal translucency [NT] measurement as a screening tool for chromosomal anomalies between 11-14 weeks of gestation. Methods: A longitudinal prospective follow up study was carried out at a tertiary referral center including 3263 singleton pregnancies between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation. Two experi...