OBJECTIVE: To measure the uterine cervical length by using transvaginal ultrasonography in patients with clinical signs compatible with preterm labor threat, and correlating each individual measurement with spontaneous pregnancy interruption within seven days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sonographic examinations were performed in 72 patients with clinical signs compatible with preterm labor threat. RESULTS: Sensitivity was 90.5%, specificity, 98%, positive predictive value, 95%, and negative predictive value, 96%. A standard uterine cervix length of 15 mm was considered as a predictive value for preterm labor. CONCLUSION: It seems to be possible to foresee preterm delivery in patients whose cervical length is < 15 mm. Such observation could contribute to a timely corticosteroid administration to accelerate fetal lung maturity.

Keywords: Transvaginal ultrasonography, Preterm labor, Uterine cervical length, Preterm labor diagnosis

Objective: To evaluate endothelial function in patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis by measuring brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (BAFMD) and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid and brachial arteries. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, case-control study in which endothelial function was evaluated by measurement of BAFMD and IMT of carotid and brachial arteries and presence or absence of risk factors in 112 patients distributed as follows: women with risk factors (n = 49), women control group (n = 24), men with risk factors (n = 21), men control group (n = 18). Results: BAFMD was significantly compromised in the group with risk factors as compared with the control group, regardless of sex: in women, 15.2 Χ 25.3 (p < 0.01); in men, 11.8 Χ 16.8 (p < 0.02). On the other hand, IMT was not significant both for the carotid and brachial arteries, regardless of sex: brachial artery in women, 0.3 Χ 0.3 (p < 0.06); brachial artery in men, 0.36 Χ 0.23 (p < 0.07); carotid artery in women, 0.6 Χ 0.4 (p < 0.07); carotid artery in men, 0.85 Χ 0.38 (p < 0.08). The significance level was set at 5% (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Measurement of BAFMD was effective for detecting endothelial impairment in a population with risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Endothelial dysfunction; Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation; Intima-media complex of the carotid and brachial arteries.