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Janoudi G, Uzun (Rada) M, Boyd ST, Fell DB, Ray JG, Foster AM, Giffen R, Clifford TJ, Walker MC. Do Case Reports and Case Series Generate Clinical Discoveries About Preeclampsia? A Systematic Review. Int J Womens Health 2023; 15:411-425. [PMID: 36974131 PMCID: PMC10039711 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s397680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The management of preeclampsia has not changed much in more than two decades, and its aetiology is still not fully understood. Case reports and case series have traditionally been used to communicate new knowledge about existing conditions. Whether this is true for preeclampsia is not known. Objective To determine whether recent case reports or case series have generated new knowledge and clinical discoveries about preeclampsia. Methods A detailed search strategy was developed in consultation with a medical librarian. Two bibliographic databases were searched through Ovid: Embase and MEDLINE. We selected case reports or case series published between 2015 and 2020, comprising pregnant persons diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia. Two reviewers independently screened all publications. One reviewer extracted data from included studies, while another conducted a quality check of extracted data. We developed a codebook to guide our data extraction and outcomes assessment. The quality of each report was determined based on Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist for case reports and case series. Results We included 104 case reports and three case series, together comprising 118 pregnancies. A severe presentation or complication of preeclampsia was reported in 81% of pregnancies, and 84% had a positive maternal outcome, free of death or persistent complications. Only 8% of the case reports were deemed to be of high quality, and 53.8% of moderate quality; none of the case series were of high quality. A total of 26 of the 107 publications (24.3%) included a novel clinical discovery as a central theme. Conclusion Over two-thirds of recent case reports and case series about preeclampsia do not appear to present new knowledge or discoveries about preeclampsia, and most are of low quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghayath Janoudi
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Stephanie T Boyd
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Deshayne B Fell
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Joel G Ray
- Departments of Medicine, Health Policy Management and Evaluation, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Angel M Foster
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Tammy J Clifford
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Canadian Institute of Health Research, Government of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mark C Walker
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- International and Global Health Office, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Newborn Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- BORN Ontario, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Correspondence: Mark C Walker, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Centre for Practice Changing Research, Box 241, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada, Tel +1 613-798-5555 x76655, Email
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Lewandowska M, Englert-Golon M, Krasiński Z, Jagodziński PP, Sajdak S. A Rare Case of HELLP Syndrome with Hematomas of Spleen and Liver, Eclampsia, Severe Hypertension and Prolonged Coagulopathy-A Case Report. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137681. [PMID: 35805359 PMCID: PMC9265485 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, liver damage and thrombocytopenia) is a rare (0.5−0.9%) but serious complication of pregnancy or puerperium associated with a higher risk of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Liver and spleen hematomas rarely entangle (<2%) HELLP cases, but rupture of the hematomas presents an immediate threat to life. We present the history of a 35-year old pregnant woman (at the 31st week) admitted to our hospital due to the risk of premature delivery. On the first day, the patient did not report any complains, and the only abnormality was thrombocytopenia 106 G/L. However, within several hours, tests showed platelet levels of 40.0 G/L, LDH 2862.0 U/L and AST 2051.6 U/L, and the woman was diagnosed with severe HELLP syndrome, complicated by hematomas of the liver and spleen, seizures (eclampsia), severe arterial hypertension and coagulation disorders. The purpose of this article is to highlight the need for early investigation of the causes of thrombocytopenia and the differentiation of HELLP from other thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Lewandowska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland;
- Division of Gynecological Surgery, University Hospital, 33 Polna Str., 60-535 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Monika Englert-Golon
- Department of Gynaecology Obstetrics and Gynaecological Oncology, Division of Gynecological Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland; (M.E.-G.); (S.S.)
| | - Zbigniew Krasiński
- Department of Vascular, Endovascular Surgery, Angiology and Phlebology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-848 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Paweł Piotr Jagodziński
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Stefan Sajdak
- Department of Gynaecology Obstetrics and Gynaecological Oncology, Division of Gynecological Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland; (M.E.-G.); (S.S.)
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Paudel AC, Altomare JF, Shogbesan O, Lee A, Desai P, Noain JS, Khanal S. Hepatic Infarction in a Patient With Sickle Cell Trait Presenting With HELLP Syndrome. Cureus 2022; 14:e23724. [PMID: 35506117 PMCID: PMC9056947 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.23724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic infarction is uncommon due to the dual blood supply from the hepatic artery and portal vein. The majority of the cases are caused following liver transplant or hepatobiliary surgery, hepatic artery occlusion, or shock. Hepatic infarction is a rare complication of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome. HELLP is an obstetrical emergency requiring prompt delivery. The presence of elevated liver enzymes, mainly alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in pre-eclampsia, should warrant diagnosis and treatment in the line of HELLP syndrome. Our patient with underlying sickle cell trait presented with features of HELLP syndrome in her third trimester of pregnancy. She underwent cesarean delivery on the same day of the presentation. The liver enzymes continued to rise following delivery and peaked on postoperative day two. Contrast computed tomography scan showed multifocal hepatic infarctions. Pre-eclampsia by itself is a state of impaired oxygenation and can lead to hepatic hypoperfusion, and appeared to be a clear contributor to the hepatic infarction in this case. However, this case also raises the question of whether the underlying sickle cell trait might have potentiated the hepatic infarction. Although sickle cell disease is well known to cause hepatic infarctions, it is unknown whether the sickle cell trait affects the liver to a similar extent as sickle cell disease. In addition, there have been case reports of sickle cell trait causing splenic infarcts and renal papillary necrosis, but it remains unclear if it can be directly associated with hepatic infarction.
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McCormick PA, Higgins M, McCormick CA, Nolan N, Docherty JR. Hepatic infarction, hematoma, and rupture in HELLP syndrome: support for a vasospastic hypothesis. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021; 35:7942-7947. [PMID: 34130599 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1939299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: HELLP syndrome is a relatively uncommon pregnancy-related condition characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver function tests, and low platelets. It can be accompanied by life-threatening hepatic complications including hepatic infarction, hematoma formation, and hepatic rupture. HELLP syndrome occurs in approximately 0.2% of pregnancies. Major hepatic complications occur in less than 1% of HELLP patients suggesting an incidence of 1/50,000. The pathogenesis is incompletely understood and in particular, it is difficult to understand a disorder with both major thrombotic and bleeding manifestations.Methods: Literature review.Results: On the basis of reports in the published literature, and our own clinical experience, we suggest that vasospasm is one of the principal drivers with hepatic ischemia, infarction, and hemorrhage as secondary events. It is known that vasoactive substances are released by the failing placenta. We suggest these cause severe vasospasm, most likely affecting the small post-sinusoidal hepatic venules. This leads to patchy or confluent hepatic ischemia and/or necrosis with a resultant increase in circulating liver enzymes. Reperfusion is associated with a fall in platelet count and microvascular hemorrhage if the microvasculature is infarcted. Blood tracks to the subcapsular space causing hematoma formation. If the hematoma ruptures the patient presents with severe abdominal pain, intra-abdominal hemorrhage, and shock.Conclusions: We suggest that hepatic and other complications associated with HELLP syndrome including placental abruption, acute renal failure, and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) may also be due to regional vasospasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A McCormick
- Liver Unit, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M Higgins
- University College Dublin Perinatal Research Centre, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C A McCormick
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - N Nolan
- Histopathology Department, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J R Docherty
- Physiology Department, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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