Clinical trials

This observational, non-interventional cohort study evaluates the clinical use of the Bambi Belt-a CE-certified, wireless device for non-invasive heart rate and respiration monitoring-in extremely preterm infants (\<26 weeks gestation). 15 infants with intact skin and age \<24 hours will be monitored using the Bambi Belt during the first ten days of life. Primary outcomes include ease of use (application, signal stability), skin tolerance, and user experience (nurses and parents). Standard care remains unchanged. Data will be collected via clinical records and evaluation forms.

During pregnancy, unique blood vessels form within the uterine wall, known as spiral arteries. These vessels originate from the uterine artery, which is the main artery supplying blood to the uterus. Throughout pregnancy, spiral arteries undergo significant changes to increase blood and oxygen flow to the placenta, ensuring the developing baby receives adequate nutrients. When these arteries fail to remodel properly, complications such as pre-eclampsia or fetal growth restriction can occur. Until now, direct observation and evaluation of spiral arteries during pregnancy has not been feasible. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound may provide a breakthrough in this area. In this study, the investigators aim to use this imaging technique to visualize spiral arteries after the placenta has been delivered. If successful, this could allow to assess their structural quality. Additionally, the investigators will employ ultrasound to monitor physiological changes in the uterine artery during late pregnancy (after 37 weeks), during labour, and postpartum. By conducting these measurements, the investigators hope to develop methods for detecting spiral artery abnormalities earlier in pregnancy. Early identification could enable timely interventions and help prevent severe complications.

The objective of this single center, interventional cohort study is to evaluate the feasibility of remote electrophysiological cardiotocography (eCTG) monitoring in complicated pregnancies in a home@hospital setting. The primary objective is to assess: • The success rate of the self-administered eCTG measurement The secondary objective is to asses: * Maternal and perinatal outcomes * Patients wellbeing and satisfaction. * Healthcare professionals' (HCPs') satisfaction * Analysis of antenatal costs Participants will: * Self-administer remote eCTG monitoring once daily during admission (or at least twice weekly at the outpatient clinic) * Self-measure their blood pressure, heartrate and temperature * Enter the measurements, symptoms and worries into an application on their telephone. * Answer questionnaires at 3 moments during the study, assessing their wellbeing and satisfaction of the received care and self-administered remote monitoring device.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis in preterm infants have been linked to intestinal immaturity and preclinical gut microbiota alterations. An important yet understudied contributor in the development of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is amniotic fluid (AF). Knowledge is lacking on the critical shifts that may occur in AF in extremely preterm birth. The aim of the current study is to assess the composition of AF using advanced biomedical techniques. Secondary objectives are to assess AF profiles of infants with chorioamnionitis (CAM) and/or fetal growth restriction (FGR), assess key metabolites across gestation, correlate AF profiles with neonatal outcomes, and explore associations with early gut microbiota. Methods: ln this multicenter, prospective, cohort study, AF (\~5 mL) will be collected from obstetric patients delivering their infants extremely preterm (gestational age (GA) 24+0/7-27+6/7 weeks, n=125), either during vaginal delivery or cesarean section (CS). Additionally, AF samples will be collected from a reference group (n=150), including early midtrimester (GA \<23+/7 weeks), very early and moderate to late preterm (GA 28+0/6-36+6/7 weeks), and full-term pregnancies (GA 37+0/7-41+6/7 weeks). Thorough characterization of AF will be conducted, including microbial profiling and metabolomics. Microbiota profiling of neonatal fecal samples will be conducted to assess the association between AF and early neonatal gut colonization patterns. Discussion and expected results: AF profiles associated with CAM and/or FGR in extremely preterm infants are expected to be identified, as well as relevant associations with neonatal health outcomes (including NEC and sepsis) and early neonatal gut colonization patterns. The current study will not only increase the understanding of the GIT development and the pathogenesis of NEC and sepsis but may also aid in the identification of high-risk infants. In the future, these findings may facilitate early targeted microbiota-based interventions to prevent disease progression and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.

This feasibility study will be the first study to assess the feasibility of continuous electrophysiological monitoring during maternal exercise in women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. This may help to better understand fetal condition during exercise and offer personalised exercise recommendations in the future. In future, validating the feasibility and safety of exercise could promote greater exercise engagement among pregnant women and increase fetal wellbeiing.

Guidelines lack high quality evidence on optimal postoperative chest tube and pain management after surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). This results in great variability in postoperative care and length of hospital stay (LOS). Chest tube and pain management are prominent factors regarding enhanced recovery after thoracic surgery, and in standardised care they are crucial to improve quality of recovery and decrease LOS. Historically, postoperative chest tubes are left in place for at least a fixed number of 3-5 days, irrespective of absence of air leakage. This period was deemed necessary for adequate pleurodesis and prevention of recurrence. However, it is suggested that removal on the same day of surgery is safe and associated with a reduced LOS. Regarding postoperative pain management, thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is the gold standard for postoperative pain management following video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Although the analgesic effect of TEA is clear, it is associated with hypotension and urinary retention. Therefore, unilateral regional techniques, such as paravertebral blockade (PVB), are developed. The investigators hypothesize that early chest tube removal accompanied by a single-shot paravertebral blockade (PVB) for analgesia is safe regarding pneumothorax recurrence and non-inferior regarding pain, but superior regarding LOS when compared to standard conservative treatment.

Standard dietary regiments for bariatric are advised prior to surgery. The most used diet is a very low calorie diet (VLCD). These diets potentially have multiple pittfalls. Very low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKD) have been proposed as a new regimen for achieving weight- and liver volume loss in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The beneficial effect of VLCKDs compared to (V)LCDs is the aimed preservation of FFM and RMR, while still reducing FM. Only a few small studies addressed the role of VLCKDs prior to bariatric surgery, and the data including FFM and FM is actually scarce. Therefore, a well-designed randomised controlled trial is necessary to establish the efficacy of a VLCKD.

Multicenter prospective cohort study in which patients ≥18 years with an ovarian tumor for which an ultrasound has been performed in accordance with IOTA criteria and the IOTA ADNEX model has been applied are included. Ultrasound data from these patients will be prospectively recorded in a database to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the IOTA ADNEX model in Dutch gynaecological practice.