A Phase 1a clinical trial study was conducted measuring safety and efficacy of ultrasound guided high intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU). This was an entirely non-invasive treatment, shown to be effective in occluding placental anastomoses (the cause of TTTS) and appears safe. The study consisted of 10 pregnant women who underwent targeted occlusion of placental blood vessels seen by Doppler imaging to connect the two circulations. 27 of 30 targeted placental vessels were successfully occluded by USgHIFU, showing a 90% success rate with no significant maternal or fetal adverse events recorded. This represents a UK collaboration between the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and the Institute for Cancer Research. The Research Team is aiming to move forward with a Phase 2 study-with a clinical endpoint.
