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

Differentiation between severe HELLP syndrome and thrombotic microangiopathy, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and other imitators

Pre-eclampsia complicated by severe HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count) syndrome is a multi-organ disease, and can be difficult to differentiate from thrombotic microangiopathy (appearing as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or hemolytic uremic syndrome), acute fatty liver, systemic erythematous lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome and severe sepsis. Many papers have highlighted the risks of misdiagnosis resulting in severe consequences for maternal health, and this can be fatal when thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is misdiagnosed as severe HELLP syndrome. The aim of this paper is to propose relevant markers to differentiate pre-eclampsia complicated by severe HELLP syndrome from its imitators, even in the worrying situation of apparently indistinguishable conditions, and thereby assist clinical decision-making regarding whether or not to commence plasma exchange. Relevant identifiers to establish the most accurate diagnosis include the frequency of each disease and anamnestic data. Frank hemolysis, need for dialysis, neurological involvement and absence of disseminated intravascular coagulation are indicative of thrombotic microangiopathy. The definitive marker for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is undetectable ADAMTS 13 activity.

Balancing the benefits and risks: lessons learned from the therapeutic interventions of a case with severe preeclampsia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Preeclampsia is a multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) for its typical and atypical manifestations including hypertension, proteinuria, HELLP syndrome, hypertensive encephalopathy and coagulopathy. Optimal management for such patients is determined from an assessment of the balance between benefits and risks of anesthetic and obstetric therapeutic strategies.

CASE REPORT

A 35-year-old pregnant woman, with one past uncomplicated pregnancy presented at 29 weeks to our medical institute as an emergency with dizziness, chest distress, palpitation, blurred vision and vaginal bleeding. After physical examination and laboratory tests, the patient was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, placental abruption, and MODS. The patient also presented spinal and pelvic deformity, fixation of articulus mandibularis, and tracheal displacement because of a traffic accident 11 years ago. Therefore, urgent cesarean section was performed under general anesthesia with nasal tracheal intubation using a guide wire. The patient was discharged directly home from the obstetric intensive care unit on the 7(th) postoperative day with normal blood pressure and full recovery of organic function.

CONCLUSIONS

This case merits further discussion on the anesthesia considerations concerning how to make a clinical decision when treating such a patient. Neuraxial block is the first choice for preeclampsia patients undergoing cesarean section when a moderate but not progressive thrombocytopenia exists. When general anesthesia is decided, adequate sedation and analgesia is needed to better control the stress response to intubation especially in patients with neurological signs, and to prevent major cerebral complications.

Pregnancy and liver disease

Although liver disease does not occur frequently during pregnancy, when it does, it can cause significant morbidity and mortality for both fetus and mother. Recent advances in molecular genetics have provided some insight into the pathogenesis of diseases such as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IHCP) and acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Newer studies linking serum bile acid levels with fetal outcome support the importance of this marker in IHCP. Randomized trials with ursodeoxycholic acid have shown promising results in reducing maternal symptoms and serum bile acid levels in IHCP. Although further studies must be performed, early strategies aimed at reducing viral loads in mothers may reduce perinatal transmission of hepatitis B.

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.

Twelve steps to optimal management of HELLP syndrome

The early diagnosis and treatment of HELLP syndrome remains problematic for the obstetric health care provider. The nonspecific signs and symptoms of this disorder early in the disease process make the accurate diagnosis difficult and delays early treatment, which has the best prognosis for both maternal and perinatal outcome. The introduction of high-dose nonmineralocorticosteriods to assist in the treatment of these patients is an exciting new development. Use of the 12-step approach to the diagnosis and management of pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome has proven to be a successful tool to help us achieve the best possible maternal and perinatal outcome.

Anesthetic management of preeclampsia/eclampsia

Preeclampsia/eclampsia affects only a small proportion of all pregnancies, yet accounts for much of the obstetric morbidity and mortality seen in the USA and UK. A full understanding of preeclampsia/eclampsia, its variable presentation and complex pathophysiology allows the consulting anesthesiologist to optimize a plan for anesthetic management of the afflicted patient.

Better maternal outcomes are achieved with dexamethasone therapy for postpartum HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and thrombocytopenia) syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to determine whether the routine initiation of dexamethasone therapy in patients with postpartum HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and thrombocytopenia) syndrome produces specific and general therapeutic benefits.

STUDY DESIGN

In this retrospective, analytic study the puerperal courses of 43 women with postpartum HELLP syndrome who were treated with dexamethasone were compared with those of 237 similar patients who did not receive corticosteroids. Dexamethasone 10 mg intravenously at 12-hour intervals was given until disease remission was noted in treated patients, at which time up to two additional 5 mg intravenous doses were given at 12-hour intervals.

RESULTS

The two patient groups were similar in regard to mode of delivery, gestational age, parity, and frequency of eclampsia. Compared with control subjects, dexamethasone-treated postpartum patients were more ill with significantly higher (p < 0.05) admission mean arterial blood pressure, higher serum uric acid level, and severe proteinuria. Dexamethasone administration was associated with a more rapid normalization of platelet counts and lactic dehydrogenase values. Most impressive was a clinically significant reduction of indicated transfusion and respiratory therapy, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, infectious or bleeding-related morbidity, and length of postpartum hospital course.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who received dexamethasone for postpartum-onset HELLP syndrome experienced a shorter disease course, faster recovery, less morbidity, and less need for other interventionist therapy compared with patients with HELLP syndrome who did not receive dexamethasone.