ABSTRACT Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of pregnancy-related mortality, and it has gradually increased over time; this rise has been attributed to numerous reasons including the growing number of women with congenital heart disease who are surviving to childbearing age. Valve surgery during pregnancy is a high risk, with a fetal and maternal mortality rate of 35% and 9%, respectively. Prior knowledge about the cardiovascular disease opens up a host of options for the mother even during pregnancy, but presentation in the 3rd trimester puts both the mother and the baby at risk. Simultaneous caesarean section and maternal cardiac surgery is a suitable option for this subset of patients, and with this study we aim to assess its outcomes and feasibility. Methods: This is a retrospective study of five pregnant patients who presented with predominant symptoms of heart failure in the 3rd trimester between June 2019 and June 2021. Intraoperative and postoperative intensive care unit charts of all the patients were reviewed. Results: All five patients underwent simultaneous cesarean section and maternal cardiac surgery successfully with no fetal or maternal mortality and are doing well in the follow-up period. Conclusion: Cesarean section followed by definitive maternal cardiac surgery in the same sitting is a safe and feasible approach in the management of such patients. A well-prepared team is pivotal for a safe delivery with a cardiopulmonary bypass machine on standby. Specialized multidisciplinary care in the antepartum, peripartum, and postpartum period is essential to improve outcomes.

Abstract: This comparative study focused on understanding the effect of coupling agent and particle size on weathering behaviour of wood polypropylene composite. Two coupling agents, namely maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene and m-TMI (m-Isopropenyl-α,α? dimethylbenzyl isocyanate) grafted polypropylene were used in preparation of the composites. The composites were exposed to outdoor conditions for one year and changes in surface colour and mechanical properties were measured after 2, 4, 8 and 12 months of natural weathering. During the initial four months of weathering considerable colour change was observed with increase in lightness. Mechanical properties were unaffected largely for the initial four months and thereafter started declining. Overall, tensile strength decreased by about 15 % and flexural strength decreased by about 8 % after one year of weathering. The flexural modulus also decreased by about 10 %. Wood particle size was found to affect the aesthetic and strength of the composites after natural weathering. Coupling agents had a positive impact on mechanical properties however their influence on weathering degradation was not noticeable.