It is one of the obstetric procedures and is summarized as follows:
Procedure:
-This is a diagnostic outpatient office procedure performed under ultrasound guidance without anesthesia.
-The catheter is placed directly into the placental tissue without entering the amniotic cavity.
-Chorionic villi, which are placental precursors, are aspirated from a pregnant uterus between 10 and 12 weeks’ gestation.
-The tissue is sent to the laboratory for karyotyping.
-The chromosomes of the villi are almost always identical to those of the embryo.
Nature of Tissue Obtained:
The procedure can be performed either transcervically or transabdominally. Since the fetus and chorionic villi are both derived from a common origin (the zygote), their karyotype is identical more than 99% of the time.
Risks associated with procedure:
Procedure-related pregnancy loss rate is 0.7%.
Every woman who is pregnant starts her term with a test and the series of these tests continue till the time the baby is born. While there are many tests which are done for diagnosis there are others which are known to be screening tests. One such test is the CVS or Chorionic Villus Sampling.
Chorionic Villus Sampling is known as a prenatal test which helps to detect any chromosomal abnormalities like for example the Down syndrome. Apart from this, this test also helps to detect any other abnormalities which might occur. The Chorionic Villus Sampling Procedure is not a hard one. When you are asked to go in for the test, the doctor collects the cells from your placenta which is also called as the chorionic villi and these are then sent to the lab for further diagnosis.
Not every pregnant woman is asked to go in for the CVS test. This test is only recommended for those women who have a risk of miscarriage or have had any genetic or chromosomal problems. This is only asked for when the initial prenatal test has some abnormalities. The CVS tests can be done even during the 10 weeksto 13 weeks of pregnancy.
While undergoing the test is simple and easy, many also believe that there are some Chorionic Villus Sampling Risks. While the news about the miscarriage after the CVS test is true but the chances for the same are very less and this can be anything from 1 in 100 or 200. But there are also some older studies which have stated that the procedure of CVS have indeed caused some damage to the fingers or the toes of the babies and this is more possible when the test is done before 9 weeks of pregnancy. The very recent studies do state that such risks do not occur when the tests are done after 11 weeks of pregnancy.
Before the CVS test is done, you will have to undergo an ultrasound as it helps the doctor to see how you are progressing and if they would be able to get the right sample for the test. You need to make sure that you have a full bladder so as to get the good view of your uterus. The main goal of this test is to obtain the tiny tissue of your placenta which is then sent to the lab for further study. You can be assured that the amniotic sac will not be disturbed in this process and even the doctor would check the heartbeat of your baby after the sample has been collected. So, you can be assured that you baby is all safe and this would not harm him/her.
You can check with your insurance provider if you are entitled for cover for the CVS test; if not your can check for the Chorionic Villus Sampling Cost with the doctor. A number of testing centers also ask for the woman to undergo a counseling session with a genetic counselor before you go in for the test.
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What is Chorionic Villus Sampling?
Chorionic Villus Sampling is another prenatal diagnostic test used to determine if a fetus has any genetic abnormalities. Like the amniocentesis, the test is done early in pregnancy, but some people prefer it to amniocentesis because it can be performed as early as 10 weeks , typically between 10 and 13 weeks (amniocentesis is done between 14-20 weeks) and the results typically come back in about 7-10 days (results for amniocentesis can take up to 4 weeks).
What is the Chorionic Villi?
Chorionic villi are tiny finger-shaped growths found in the placenta. The genetic material in chorionic villus cells is the same as that in the baby’s cells so they can be analyzed and information about the baby can be obtained.
Who is recommended for Chorionic Villus Sampling?
Women at an increased risk for genetic abnormalities are recommended to have prenatal diagnostic screening. Many couples choose chorionic villus sampling over amniocentesis because it can be performed earlier in the pregnancy. Additionally, if significant genetic abnormalities are found, many couples elect to terminate the pregnancy and this is easier and safer earlier in pregnancy. Indications for chorionic villus sampling are the same as for amniocentesis.
How is Chorionic Villus Sampling Performed?
Chorionic villus sampling is done by first visualizing the fetus and placenta on ultrasound. Making sure that the fetus and placenta are not in any danger of injury, the Obstetrician then puts a thin flexible tube (catheter) through the vagina and cervix into the placenta and a small amount of tissue is removed. The sample is then sent to the lab for analysis which takes about 1 to 2 weeks. The sample can also be collected through a long, thin needle put through the belly into the placenta.
What are the potential complications of Chorionic Villus Sampling?
The most significant complication of chorionic villus sampling is miscarriage. Since miscarriage is more common in early pregnancy, an invasive diagnostic procedure such as chorionic villus sampling which tampers with the developing placenta can increase this risk. Other less serious side effects are cramping, pain at the puncture site (if done as an abdominal procedure), vaginal spotting and infection.
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DR. TRYNAADH 