TAE for the treatment of PUB was technically successful in all cases and resulted in high clinical success rate. Minimal re-bleeding rates further highlight the utility of TAE as the second line treatment of choice, after failed endoscopy.

Objective To compare procedure-related pregnancy loss after second-trimester genetic amniocentesis in women given an antibiotic prophylaxis and controls.Methods Prospective, open randomised controlled single-centre study between January 1999 and December 2005 at Artemisia Fetal Maternal Medical Centre. A follow-up within 4 weeks after the procedure was done.Of 36 347 eligible women, 1424 refused to participate and 34 923 were enrolled and randomised with unequal chance of selection, 21 991 were assigned to treatment group and 12 932 were assigned to the control group, and did not receive any placebo. Oral azithromycin, 500 mg per day, was administered 3 days before amniocentesis. The primary endpoint was the procedure-related pregnancy loss. The secondary endpoint was the rate of preterm premature rupture of membranes. ResultsThe rate of abortion related to the amniocentesis was 7/21 219 women (0.03%, 95% CI 0.009-0.057) in the intervention group, and 36/12 529 (0.28%, 0.28-0.30) in controls (p = 0.0019). The rate of preterm premature rupture of membranes was 14/21 219 (0.06%, 0.031-0.101) in the intervention group, and 140/12 529 (1.12%, 0.94-1.30) in the control group (p = 0.001).Conclusions Antibiotic prophylaxis before second-trimester amniocentesis reduced the risk of abortion and of rupture of the membranes.

In selected cases, the "sandwich technique" showed good outcomes confirming to be a safe and easy to perform way to overcome anatomical constraints and expanding the limits of EVAR.

The results of the Jotec endograft are comparable to other devices, with acceptable complication and re-intervention rates. Fenestration and inner-branch should be preferred due to lower re-intervention rates.

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