OBJECTIVE: In addition to unbalanced flow through placental anastomoses, evidence suggests that transfer of circulating vasoactive elements from the donor to the recipient contribute to the pathological process of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that TTTS recipients have higher blood pressure (BP) at birth than donors. STUDY DESIGN: Chart review of all TTTS infants born from 1996 to 2007 with both twins alive 24 h (51 pairs; average gestational age 30±3 weeks). RESULTS: Both systolic and diastolic neonatal BPs were significantly higher in recipients. When expressed relative to predicted BP for birth weight (BW), BP were lower than expected in donors and higher in recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Data indicate that TTTS recipients have BP significantly higher than donors and than BP expected for BW. The long-term impact of these early hemodynamic perturbations remains to be determined.
OBJECTIVE: In addition to unbalanced flow through placental anastomoses, evidence suggests that transfer of circulating vasoactive elements from the donor to the recipient contribute to the pathological process of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that TTTS recipients have higher blood pressure (BP) at birth than donors. STUDY DESIGN: Chart review of all TTTS infants born from 1996 to 2007 with both twins alive 24 h (51 pairs; average gestational age 30±3 weeks). RESULTS: Both systolic and diastolic neonatal BPs were significantly higher in recipients. When expressed relative to predicted BP for birth weight (BW), BP were lower than expected in donors and higher in recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Data indicate that TTTS recipients have BP significantly higher than donors and than BP expected for BW. The long-term impact of these early hemodynamic perturbations remains to be determined.