Plasma exchange for preeclampsia: II. Unsuccessful antepartum utilization for severe preeclampsia with or without HELLP syndrome

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Early-Onset Preeclampsia: A 7-Year Monocentric Experience

Different therapeutic apheresis techniques have been clinically tested to delay preterm delivery in the case of eoPE (early-onset preeclampsia). Our study evaluated the feasibility of TPE (therapeutic plasma exchange) compared to standard-of-care treatment. Twenty patients treated with 95 TPE sessions were included in the final analysis and retrospectively matched with 21 patients with comparable placental dysfunction. Gestational age at admission was 23.75 ± 2.26 versus 27.57 ± 2.68 weeks of gestation (WoG) in the control group (p = < 0.001), mean sFlt-1/PlGF ratio was 1946.26 ± 2301.63 versus 2146.70 ± 3273.63 (p = 0.821) and mean sEng was 87.63 ± 108.2 ng/mL versus 114.48 ± 88.78 ng/mL (p = 0.445). Pregnancy was prolonged for 8.25 ± 5.97 days when TPE was started, compared to 3.14 ± 4.57 days (p = 0.004). The median sFlt-1/PlGF Ratio was 1430 before and 1153 after TPE (-18.02%). Median sEng fell from 55.96 ng/mL to 47.62 mg/mL (-27.73%). The fetal survival rate was higher in TPE-treated cases. NICU (Neonatal Intensive Center Unit) stay was in the median of 63 days in the TPE group versus 48 days in the standard-of-care group (p = 0.248). To date, this monocentric retrospective study, reports the largest experience with extracorporeal treatments in eoPE worldwide. TPE could improve pregnancy duration and reduce sFlt-1 and sEng in maternal serum without impairing neonatal outcomes.

The effect of therapeutic plasma exchange on management of HELLP Syndrome: The report of 47 patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

HELLP syndrome is a life-threatening condition that may potentially cause complications during pregnancy. If not diagnosed and treated quickly, HELLP syndrome may lead to serious complications both for the mother and the baby. The aim of this study was to determin the effectiveness of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) for treatment of Class-I HELLP syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Laboratory results from 47 patients with Class-I HELLP syndrome patients who underwent TPE between 2011 and 2020 were recorded before and after the procedure. A central venous catheter was inserted, and TPE was performed in patients who had not responded to delivery, steroid, and supportive therapy (blood products, anti-hypertensive therapy, intravenous fluid administration, and antibiotics) within 24 hours after the diagnosis of Class I HELLP syndrome according to the Mississippi Criteria.

RESULTS

The average age of patients was 33 ± 4.7 years (range; 21-39 years). A mean of 5 (range; 4 to 6) TPE sessions were performed. There was a statistically significant decrease in total bilirubin, lactic dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels in all patients, whereas a significant increase in platelet count was observed (p < 0.05). Furthermore, clinical and laboratory improvement was achieved.

CONCLUSION

In all patients with HELLP syndrome, a dramatically clinical and laboratory improvement occurred after TPE. Our study suggests that postpartum use of TPE within 24 hours is an efficient treatment option for Class-I HELLP syndrome.

Therapeutic plasma exchange and dextran-sulfate plasma adsorption as extracorporeal treatments of extremely preterm preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction

AIM

To evaluate effectiveness and safety of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and dextran-sulfate plasma adsorption (DSA) for extracorporeal removal of soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) as part of expectant management of preeclampsia at extremely preterm gestational age.

METHODS

Retrospective case series of six patients with preeclampsia at <28 weeks of gestation, treated with DSA or TPE. Laboratory results, clinical characteristics and neonatal outcomes were collected from charts and National Perinatal Information System.

RESULTS

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) was diagnosed in all cases. Pregnancy was prolonged for a median of 14 (range 5-74) days from admission and 10 (3-73) days from first apheresis. A mixed effects model showed a decrease in sFlt-1 and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio during DSA/TPE (significant effect of time [before/after]), which was comparable between DSA and TPE (no effect of procedure type). Median absolute reduction in sFlt-1 was 42% (inter-quartile range [IQR] 13%-57%) during DSA and 34% (16%-40%) during TPE; for sFlt-1/PlGF ratio it was 29% (22%-36%) and 38% (29%-42%), respectively. All procedures were well tolerated by fetuses. Anaphylactoid reaction, often with angioedema, occurred in 4/6 patients undergoing DSA and was attributed to bradykinin activation. One patient developed wound hematoma after cesarean section, possibly attributed to depletion coagulopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

As potential novel treatment of early preeclampsia, a non-selective and widely available TPE was comparable to DSA regarding sFlt-1 reduction but was associated with fewer side-effects. Both seem to allow maternal stabilization and pregnancy prolongation even when early preeclampsia is complicated by FGR.

Therapeutic plasma exchange in pregnancy: A literature review

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is indicated as a treatment for a wide array of diseases, extensively addressed in the Guidelines of the American Society for Apheresis. In pregnancy, TPE is an uncommon event and application is largely based on extrapolation of efficacy and safety in a non-pregnant population. This review intends to describe the currently available experience of TPE in pregnancy to help clinicians recognise indications during pregnancy and to support current guideline recommendations with literature-based experiences. In order to identify the clinical indications for which TPE is applied in pregnant women, we performed a literature search including studies till November 2019, without a start date restriction. Data extraction included medical indication for TPE and safety of TPE in pregnant women. 279 studies were included for analysis. Nowadays, TPE is predominantly applied for thrombotic microangiopathies, lipid disorders and a variety of autoimmune diseases. The application of TPE during pregnancy remains largely empiric and relies on individual case reports in the absence of high-quality studies and definitive evidence-based guidelines. Safety profile of TPE during pregnancy appears to be comparable to application of TPE in non-pregnant patients. In conclusion, based on the limited evidence that we found in literature with a high risk of publication bias, TPE procedures can be used safely during pregnancy with the appropriate preparation and experience of a multidisciplinary team.

Preeclampsia before fetal viability in women with primary antiphospholipid syndrome- materno-fetal outcomes in a series of 7 cases

INTRODUCTION

Preeclampsia complicates about 10-17 % of pregnancies with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). It is often severe and might occur sometimes at early gestation. The development of preeclampsia before fetal viability is a huge challenge for obstetricians and demands an intensive discussion regarding the therapeutical options.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 7 women with primary APS who developed preeclampsia before 24 weeks of gestation. Plasma exchange had been performed in four of the cases and two women received corticosteroids. One of the women had received 20 mg of pravastatin daily, starting at 18 weeks of gestation. Neonatal outcome was: live birth in four cases and IUFD in three cases. The main pediatric complications were noted in a 28-week-old premature born boy, who developed severe IRDS and thrombocytopenia. At the present time, the boy continues to have a retarded status.

DISCUSSION

This retrospective analysis revealed that women with APS can develop severe preeclampsia even before 20 weeks of gestation. Several management options for prolongation of pregnancy such as plasma exchange, pravastatin, LMHW, hydroxychloroquine/HCQ, or TNF-alpha blocker should be discussed with the patients. Optimal management of preeclampsia before 24 weeks of gestation usually depends on weighing the maternal and fetal complications from expectant management with prolongation of pregnancy versus the predominant fetal and neonatal risks of extreme prematurity from "aggressive" management with immediate delivery.

Apheresis as emerging treatment option in severe early onset preeclampsia

Based on an early suggestion by Winkler et al. 2003 and a subsequent successful study by Wang et al. 2006 using lipid apheresis (LA) in 9 patients with preeclampsia to prolong pregnancies, the use of apheresis as therapeutic option in severe early onset preeclampsia has received increasing attention. Further studies using different LA systems also prolonged pregnancy and have been published in the last few years. Albeit using different LA systems and relying on different working hypothesis, all studies demonstrated a promising stabilisation against the disease's progression. Overall time from hospitalisation to the need for mandatory delivery was longer for those patients receiving apheresis compared to historical or matched control patients not receiving apheresis. These data will be reviewed and different hypotheses about the beneficial mechanism of action of apheresis will be discussed. Since up to now there is no curative treatment for preeclampsia other than observation and delivery, future work shall be encouraged.

Pregnancy Outcome in Women with Obstetric and Thrombotic Antiphospholipid Syndrome-A Retrospective Analysis and a Review of Additional Treatment in Pregnancy

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is associated with pregnancy complications such as recurrent early fetal loss (RFL), fetal death, preeclampsia (PE), and intrauterine growth restriction (obstetric APS/OAPS). Other clinical manifestations are venous and/or arterial thromboses (thrombotic APS/TAPS). The data of 37 pregnancies with OAPS and 37 pregnancies with TAPS were analyzed and compared. Overall, the most frequent APS antibodies (aPl) were LA as well as "triple-positivity"; LA antibodies were significantly more frequent in women with TAPS (67.6 % TAPS vs. 29.7 % OAPS, p < 0.010), whereas "triple-positivity" was significantly more seen in women with OAPS (40.5 % OAPS vs. 13.5 % TAPS, p < 0.010). Adequate therapy has been administered in nearly all pregnancies with TAPS, whereas in 18.9 % of pregnancies with OPS, no therapy has been given at all. One woman in OAPS and four women in TAPS were treated with plasmapheresis and immunoadsorption. There was no significant association between adverse obstetric outcome and therapy. The most frequent pregnancy complications were RFL in the OAPS group (32.4 vs. 13.5 % in TAPS) and PE in the TAPS group (18.9 % in OAPS and TAPS, respectively). The data of our study showed that pregnancies with OAPS and TAPS have a similar rate of pregnancy complications. However, pregnancies with OAPS tend to have rather RFL. Although we were not able to reveal a significant association with adverse obstetric outcome, it seems that the current adequate therapy for APS in pregnancy, consisting of LDA and LMWH, might rather prevent the development of RFL. Additionally, it might be considered to divide the obstetric APS into obstetric APS with early pregnancy complications and obstetric APS with late pregnancy complications. The division into two groups of obstetric APS might facilitate the choice of additional therapy in these women.

HELLP Syndrome, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura or Both: Appraising the Complex Association and Proposing a Stepwise Practical Plan for Differential Diagnosis

Both thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (TMA) are seen in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and HELLP syndrome among other disorders during pregnancy. Although both share backgrounds of endothelial injury and microvascular thrombi and some clinical features, yet, they have different etiologies and courses. In late pregnancy, differentiating between these two pathologies can be extremely difficult due to the immense overlap in clinical and laboratory manifestations and this becomes only possible with the use of specific markers as ADAMTS-13, when available. Hereby, we describe three cases that may exemplify the complex association between PE/HELLP syndrome and TTP. The first case presented with PE/HELLP syndrome and deteriorated postpartum to improve on plasmapheresis. The second case was a known TTP patient who developed superimposed PE/HELLP at 27 weeks gestation which necessitated emergent delivery. The third was a case of preeclampsia that progressed to HELLP syndrome on day 2 postpartum but 3 days later was complicated by TTP. HELLP syndrome and TTP can co-exist, but can also complicate one another. In the absence of instantaneous results of ADAMTS-13 and when diagnosis with clinical judgement alone cannot be done with certainty, a short trial-plasmapheresis could be attempted with close observation of the immediate response. This stepwise approach might prove to be a valuable tool when integrated in the usual workup of clinical and laboratory evaluation both before and after delivery.

Response to Plasmapheresis Measured by Angiogenic Factors in a Woman with Antiphospholipid Syndrome in Pregnancy

An imbalance of angiogenic and antiangiogenic placental factors such as endoglin and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 has been implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Extraction of these substances by plasmapheresis might be a therapeutical approach in cases of severe early-onset preeclampsia. Case Report. A 21-year-old primigravida with antiphospholipid syndrome developed early-onset preeclampsia at 18 weeks' gestation. She was treated successfully with plasmapheresis in order to prolong pregnancy. Endoglin and sflt-1-levels were measured by ELISA before and after treatment. Endoglin levels decreased significantly after treatment (p < 0.05) and showed a significant decrease throughout pregnancy. A rerise of endoglin and sflt-1 preceded placental abruption 4 weeks before onset of incident. Conclusion. Due to the limited long-term therapeutical possibilities for pregnancies complicated by PE, plasmapheresis seems to be a therapeutical option. This consideration refers especially to pregnancies with early-onset preeclampsia, in which, after first conventional treatment of PE, prolongation of pregnancy should be above all.

Preeclampsia from a renal point of view: Insides into disease models, biomarkers and therapy

Proteinuria is a frequently detected symptom, found in 20% of pregnancies. A common reason for proteinuria in pregnancy is preeclampsia. To diagnose preeclampsia clinically and to get new insights into the pathophysiology of the disease it is at first essential to be familiar with conditions in normal pregnancy. Animal models and biomarkers can help to learn more about disease conditions and to find new treatment strategies. In this article we review the changes in kidney function during normal pregnancy and the differential diagnosis of proteinuria in pregnancy. We summarize different pathophysiological theories of preeclampsia with a special focus on the renal facets of the disease. We describe the current animal models and give a broad overview of different biomarkers that were reported to predict preeclampsia or have a prognostic value in preeclampsia cases. We end with a summary of treatment options for preeclampsia related symptoms including the use of plasmapheresis as a rescue therapy for so far refractory preeclampsia. Most of these novel biomarkers for preeclampsia are not yet implemented in clinical use. Therefore, we recommend using proteinuria (measured by UPC ratio) as a screening parameter for preeclampsia. Delivery is the only curative treatment for preeclampsia. In early preeclampsia the primary therapy goal is to prolong pregnancy until a state were the child has an acceptable chance of survival after delivery.

Treatment of poor placentation and the prevention of associated adverse outcomes--what does the future hold?

Poor placentation, which manifests as pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction, is a major pregnancy complication. The underlying cause is a deficiency in normal trophoblast invasion of the spiral arteries, associated with placental inflammation, oxidative stress, and an antiangiogenic state. Peripartum therapies, such as prenatal maternal corticosteroids and magnesium sulphate, can prevent some of the adverse neonatal outcomes, but there is currently no treatment for poor placentation itself. Instead, management relies on identifying the consequences of poor placentation in the mother and fetus, with iatrogenic preterm delivery to minimise mortality and morbidity. Several promising therapies are currently under development to treat poor placentation, to improve fetal growth, and to prevent adverse neonatal outcomes. Interventions such as maternal nitric oxide donors, sildenafil citrate, vascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy, hydrogen sulphide donors, and statins address the underlying pathology, while maternal melatonin administration may provide fetal neuroprotection. In the future, these may provide a range of synergistic therapies for pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction, depending on the severity and gestation of onset.

GPCRs as potential therapeutic targets in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is an important obstetric complication that arises in 5% of women after the 20(th) week of gestation, for which there is no specific therapy and no cure. Although much of the recent investigation in this field has focused on soluble forms of the angiogenic membrane receptor tyrosine kinase Flt1 and the transforming growth factor β co-receptor Endoglin, there is significant clinical potential for several GPCR targets and their agonists or antagonists in preeclampsia. In this review, we discuss several of the most promising candidates in this category, including calcitonin receptor-like receptor / receptor activity modifying protein 1 complexes, the angiotensin AT1, 2 and Mas receptors, and the relaxin receptor RXFP1. We also address some of the controversies surrounding the roles and therapeutic potential of these GPCRs and their (ant)agonists in preeclampsia.

Pilot study of extracorporeal removal of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 in preeclampsia

BACKGROUND

Targeted therapies to stabilize the clinical manifestations and prolong pregnancy in preeclampsia do not exist. Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), an alternatively spliced variant of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1, induces a preeclampsia-like phenotype in experimental models and circulates at elevated levels in human preeclampsia. Removing sFlt-1 may benefit women with very preterm (<32 weeks) preeclampsia.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We first show that negatively charged dextran sulfate cellulose columns adsorb sFlt-1 in vitro. In 5 women with very preterm preeclampsia and elevated circulating sFlt-1 levels, we next demonstrate that a single dextran sulfate cellulose apheresis treatment reduces circulating sFlt-1 levels in a dose-dependent fashion. Finally, we performed multiple apheresis treatments in 3 additional women with very preterm (gestational age at admission 28, 30, and 27+4 weeks) preeclampsia and elevated circulating sFlt-1 levels. Dextran sulfate apheresis lowered circulating sFlt-1, reduced proteinuria, and stabilized blood pressure without apparent adverse events to mother and fetus. Pregnancy lasted for 15 and 19 days in women treated twice and 23 days in a woman treated 4 times. In each, there was evidence of fetal growth.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study supports the hypothesis that extracorporeal apheresis can lower circulating sFlt-1 in very preterm preeclampsia. Further studies are warranted to determine whether this intervention safely and effectively prolongs pregnancy and improves maternal and fetal outcomes in this setting.

Microangiopathic disorders in pregnancy

Microangiopathic disorders present with thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and multiorgan damage. In pregnancy, these disorders present a challenge both diagnostically and therapeutically, with widely overlapping clinical scenarios and disparate treatments. Although rare, a clear understanding of these diseases is important because devastating maternal and fetal outcomes may ensue if there is misdiagnosis and improper treatment. Microangiopathic disorders presenting in pregnancy are thus best assessed and treated by both obstetric and hematology teams. As a better understanding of the pathophysiology underlying each of the disease processes is gained, new diagnostic testing and therapies will be available, which will lead to improved outcomes.

New markers in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the most common diseases worldwide, complicating ~5% of all pregnancies. Although no major progress has been achieved in the treatment of PE, our ability to identify women at high-risk has increased considerably during the past decade. Thus, the soluble form of the type-1 receptor of vascular endothelial growth factor (sFlt1) and of endoglin (sEng), an endothelial receptor for transforming growth factor beta, have been shown to increase dramatically in the maternal blood of the women affected some weeks before the onset of clinical symptoms. A relative concomitant fall in VEGF and placental growth factor (PlGF) has also been reported. In 2010, they are the most promising biomarkers for PE. The extent to which they are involved in the pathophysiology of the maternal syndrome and of the primary placental disorder responsible for PE is being actively investigated. In parallel, defective placental steroidogenesis, as well as the loss of tolerance towards the angiotensin-2 receptor have also been found to be critically involved in mouse models of PE. Although there is not much data to support their role in human PE, these two biological pathways are a potential future source of both new biomarkers, and new therapeutic strategies. The aim of this review is to compare the likely value of these molecules at the bedside, and to discuss their implication in the pathophysiology of what used to be known as "the disease of theories".

Plasmapheresis in thrombotic microangiopathy-associated syndromes: review of outcome data derived from clinical trials and open studies

Current reimbursement policy of health insurance for therapeutic plasmapheresis requires proof of efficacy using the concept of evidence-based medicine. The aim of this paper is to review the outcome of plasmapheresis used to treat thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)-associated syndromes in the last decade to provide scientific evidence to back up reimbursement applications. The strength of evidence of each reviewed study was assessed using the five levels of evidence criteria as defined by the American Society of Hematology in 1996 for assessment of the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia. The level Experimental indication was added for situations where only case reports or small series supported by pathophysiological reasoning are available. The definitions of evidence used in this paper are as follows: Level I, randomized clinical trial with low rates of error (p < 0.01); Level II, randomized clinical trial with high rates of error (p < 0.05); Level III, nonrandomized studies with concurrent control group; Level IV, nonrandomized studies with historical control group; Level V, case series without a control group or expert opinion; and Experimental, case reports and pathophysiological reasoning. The results of this analysis based on the published data is summarized as follows: The indication of plasmapheresis is assigned to Level IV evidence for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS); cancer/chemotherapy-associated TTP/HUS is assigned to Level V evidence; and TTP/HUS refractory to standard plasma exchange and post-bone marrow transplantation TTP/HUS are assigned to Experimental indication. For both subsets, protein A immunoadsorption is reportedly successful. The other TMA-associated syndromes, hemolysis elevated liver enzymes low platelets and HUS in early childhood, are no indication of plasmapheresis. Two randomized clinical trials were performed in order to demonstrate the superiority of plasma exchange/fresh frozen plasma (PEX/FFP) over plasma transfusion in the management of TTP/HUS. The results prove the greater clinical success of the latter type of plasma administration. Standard PEX/FFP has reduced the mortality of TTP/HUS from 94.5% to 13%.

Persistant pre-eclampsia post partum with elevated liver enzymes and hemolytic uremic syndrome

The spectrum of complications with pre-eclampsia, which may include AFLP (acute fatty liver of pregnancy) as well as the HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets), is resolved by early delivery. However, the ravages of HUS/TTP (hemolytic uremic syndrome/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) require therapy usually by plasma exchange. Overlap between these two groups of syndromes has occurred on rare occasions and usually requires the therapy of the predominant or more dangerous or threatening form. Such overlap can be appreciated and then treated successfully without residual morbidity. The index case is presented and an extensive review of the two groups of syndromes is provided.

Pregnancy-Related Liver Diseases

There are four unique liver diseases that occur only during pregnancy and resolve after delivery. Several liver diseases occur more commonly during pregnancy. These must be distinguished form acute or chronic liver diseases that coincidentally occur during pregnancy.

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome: a review of diagnosis and management

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome is a form of severe preeclampsia that threatens the gravida and her fetus. In this report, the diagnostic criteria and maternal and fetal risks of HELLP are defined. Prompt recognition and treatment in tertiary centers is emphasized, because the prognosis can be adversely affected by delayed or less than optimal diagnosis and treatment. Management guidelines are offered for treating this disorder. The potential roles of corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, and expectant management are critically evaluated. Subsequent pregnancy outcome, contraception, and preventative strategies are considered.

Plasma exchange for preeclampsia: III. Immediate peripartal utilization for selected patients with HELLP syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential efficacy of plasma exchange as an ancillary interventive therapeutic tool immediately before or after delivery in the patient with severe preeclampsia/eclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN

Two gravidas with complicated severe preeclampsia/eclampsia/HELLP syndrome were treated emergently in the immediate peripartal period with single-volume plasma exchange and fresh frozen plasma fluid replacement using the IBM 2997 Cell Separator.

RESULTS

Despite multiple platelet unit infusions, one primigravida in active labor at 5 cm cervical dilation and 39 weeks' gestation remained at a platelet count of 14,000/microL and began to ooze from her guns. A second primigravida remained obtunded, oliguric, and thrombocytopenic with epistaxis and hematuria following cesarean delivery and platelet transfusions. A single expedited 3-liter plasma exchange procedure reversed the rapidly deteriorating clinical situation for each patient and accelerated recovery from HELLP syndrome. Both patients and progeny suffered no permanent sequelae.

CONCLUSION

Based on our experience, we believe that the therapeutic modality of plasma exchange with fresh frozen plasma can be employed effectively for the pregnant patient with severe atypical HELLP syndrome that progressively worsens during labor or the early puerperium despite the use of conventional transfusion therapy.