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Abstract
While ischemic heart disease in reproductive-age women is rare, cardiac disease is a leading cause of maternal mortality. In turn, coronary artery disease is one of the most common causes of maternal cardiac death. The incidence of coronary artery disease in pregnancy may be rising due to the increasing prevalence of comorbid risk factors. Diagnosis and clinical management of ischemic cardiac disease is largely similar in the pregnant and non-pregnant patient, and the majority of medications and diagnostic and interventional procedures are compatible with pregnancy with a few important exceptions. Care for ischemic cardiac disease in pregnancy may be suboptimal because: (1) diagnosis is delayed because many symptoms of ischemic cardiac disease are common in pregnancy, (2) a diagnostic workup is insufficiently thorough, and/or (3) consultants may be hesitant to perform diagnostic and interventional procedures in obstetric patients. Obstetric providers should be aware of the possibility of ischemic cardiac disease in pregnancy, particularly in patients with comorbid risk factors. If ischemic cardiac disease is suspected, a thorough workup should be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Turitz
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 22 W 168th St, PH 16-66, New York, NY 10032
| | - Alexander M Friedman
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 22 W 168th St, PH 16-66, New York, NY 10032.
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Aspirin and low-molecular weight heparin combination therapy effectively prevents recurrent miscarriage in hyperhomocysteinemic women. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74155. [PMID: 24040195 PMCID: PMC3764119 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) still remains a great challenge, and women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at a greater risk for spontaneous abortion. Treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has become an accepted treatment option for women with RPL; however, the subgroup of women, who are likely to respond to LMWH, has not been precisely identified. The present study evaluated the efficacy of LMWH with reference to PCOS and associated metabolic phenotypes including hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), insulin resistance (IR) and obesity. This prospective observational study was conducted at Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Kolkata, India. A total of 967 women with history of 2 or more consecutive first trimester abortions were screened and 336 were selected for the study. The selected patients were initially divided on the basis of presence or absence of PCOS, while subsequent stratification was based on HHcy, IR and/or obesity. The subjects had treatment with aspirin during one conception cycle and aspirin-LMWH combined anticoagulant therapy for the immediate next conception cycle, if the first treated cycle was unsuccessful. Pregnancy salvage was the sole outcome measure. The overall rate of pregnancy salvage following aspirin therapy was 43.15%, which was mostly represented by normohomocysteinemic women, while the salvage rate was lower in the HHcy populations irrespective of the presence or absence of PCOS, IR, or obesity. By contrast, aspirin-LMWH combined therapy could rescue 66.84% pregnancies in the aspirin-failed cases. Logistic regression analyses showed that HHcy remained a significant factor in predicting salvage rates in the PCOS, IR, and obese subpopulations controlled for other confounding factors. With regard to pregnancy salvage, combined anticoagulant therapy with aspirin and LMWH conferred added benefit to those with HHcy phenotype.
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Appenzeller S, Souza FH, Wagner Silva de Souza A, Shoenfeld Y, de Carvalho JF. HELLP Syndrome and Its Relationship with Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Antiphospholipid Antibodies. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2011; 41:517-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2011] [Revised: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Salazar Martínez HA, Lancheros García EA, Becerra Mojica CH. Uso de la heparina de bajo peso molecular y aspirina en una paciente con síndrome antifosfolípido y pérdida gestacional recurrente. MEDUNAB 2011. [DOI: 10.29375/01237047.1532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Introducción: La pérdida gestacional recurrente (PGR) es una patología frecuente, que causa gran impacto en las parejas conllevando frustración, ansiedad, depresión, gastos excesivos y hasta rupturas de la relación de pareja. Su etiología es multicausal y frecuentemente no se logra determinar. Se presenta el caso de una paciente con PGR quien luego de seis pérdidas gestacionales, en el séptimo embarazo se detectaron anticuerpos antifosfolípidos altos, recibiendo tratamiento de tromboprofilaxis doble hasta la semana 32, obteniéndose un producto pretérmino vivo y sano que evolucionó satisfactoriamente. Se discuten dificultades para la precisión diagnóstica y las modalidades de tratamiento descritos.
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Antiphospholipid antibody-mediated reproductive failure in antiphospholipid syndrome. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2010; 38:141-7. [PMID: 19562524 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-009-8146-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The association of elevated titers of circulating antiphospholipid (anti-PL) Abs in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and reproductive failure is well established in the literature. The clinical features include recurrent abortions at various stages, including implantation, placentation in the first trimester, miscarriages in the second and third trimesters, intrauterine growth retardation, preeclampsia with placental insufficiency and growth restrictions, arterial and venous thrombosis, and possibly also infertility. APS-mediated recurrent pregnancy loss and other features of reproductive failure might result from diverse autoimmune factors, inflammation, involving different mechanisms, which encompass pathogenic anti-PL Abs. Herein, we discuss the association of anti-PL Abs with reproductive failure with special emphasis on antiphospholipid autoantibodies characterizing APS. This association is evident from either human studies or murine models.
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CARP HOWARDJ. Low Molecular Weight Heparin and Aspirin for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Results from the HepASA Trial. J Rheumatol 2009; 37:202; author reply 203. [DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.090310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Shetty S, Ghosh K. Anti-phospholipid antibodies and other immunological causes of recurrent foetal loss--a review of literature of various therapeutic protocols. Am J Reprod Immunol 2009; 62:9-24. [PMID: 19527228 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2009.00714.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM An immune-based aetiology is one of the several accepted causes for recurrent foetal loss (RFL). However, most of the immunological theories have not fulfilled the criteria for causality. This is a review of the various immunological causes of RFL and the outcome of different treatment protocols. METHOD OF STUDY Both auto- and alloimmune maternal immunological abnormalities have been proposed to account for foetal loss. Among the autoimmune factors, anti-phospholipid antibodies (APAs) have been demonstrated to be the strongest risk factors for foetal loss, the prevalence of which is as high as 40% in women with RFL. Other autoimmune antibodies implicated in RFL are anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs), anti-thyroid antibodies and anti-endothelial cell antibodies. The alloimmune factors implicated in pregnancy loss of unknown aetiology include abnormal natural killer (NK) cell activity, alteration in T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) ratios, presence of alloimmune antibodies like anti-paternal cytotoxic antibodies, anti-idiotypic antibodies, mixed lymphocyte reaction blocking antibodies and abnormal expression of HLA-G molecules. Management of patients with RFL is mainly based on immunomodulatory (prednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulins, plasma exchange, paternal lymphocyte therapy), anti-aggregation (aspirin) or anti-coagulation (unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin) agents. RESULTS Low-molecular-weight heparin with low-dose aspirin has been found to be the most effective treatment for women with APAs and RFL. Differences in dosage, timing of treatment, inclusion criteria, outcome assessment parameters etc. are some of the factors which have resulted in discrepancies in various reports. CONCLUSION Identification of the immunological mechanisms involved in pregnancy loss and the action of different therapeutic reagents is important so that effective therapies can be designed and investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrimati Shetty
- National Institute of Immunohaematology (ICMR), KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India
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Lázaro I, Carmona F, Reverter JC, Cervera R, Tassies D, Balasch J. Antiphospholipid antibodies may impair factor XIIa-dependent activation of fibrinolysis in pregnancy: in vitro evidence with human endothelial cells in culture and monoclonal anticardiolipin antibodies. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009; 201:87.e1-6. [PMID: 19427615 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2008] [Revised: 01/11/2009] [Accepted: 03/06/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to analyze the in vitro activation of the contact complex with the use of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in culture and monoclonal anticardiolipin antibodies (MaCL). STUDY DESIGN Cultured HUVECs were incubated with pooled plasma from third-trimester pregnant women with the addition (20 mg/mL) of MaCL with anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I activity that was obtained from patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), MaCL from an individual without APS, or from a control patient with immunoglobulin M without aCL activity. Supernatants were evaluated. Activated factors XII and VII, prothrombin-fragment 1 + 2, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (UPA), and differentiating 2 chain UPA were determined. RESULTS In the cultured HUVEC supernatants, the addition of MaCL increased activated factor VII and prothrombin-fragment 1 + 2, did not modify UPA, and decreased activated factor XII and differentiating 2 chain UPA, in comparison with samples with control immunoglobulin M added. The MaCL without APS activity did not change any parameter that was evaluated. CONCLUSION MaCL with anti-beta-2 activity that was obtained from patients with APS may interfere in the activation of the contact complex during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Lázaro
- Faculty of Medicine, Institut Clínic of Ginecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Baker WF, Bick RL. The clinical spectrum of antiphospholipid syndrome. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2008; 22:33-52, v-vi. [PMID: 18207064 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2007.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a disorder characterized by a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Virtually any organ system or tissue may be affected by the consequences of large- or small-vessel thrombosis. There is a broad spectrum of disease among individuals with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Patients may exhibit clinical features suggesting APS but not fulfill the International Criteria for a "definite" diagnosis. Seronegative APS patients demonstrate typical idiopathic thromboses but aPL are not initially detected. Patients defined with definite APS demonstrate nearly identical sites of venous and arterial thrombosis, regardless of the presence or absence of systemic lupus erythematosus. Microangiopathic APS may present with isolated tissue and organ injury or as the overwhelming "thrombotic storm" observed in catastrophic APS.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Baker
- David Geffen School of Medicine, Center for Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Abstract
Low dose aspirin therapy is one of the anticoagulant treatments used during pregnancy. Anticoagulant agents may be useful for several disorders, such as recurrent miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and infertility. However, it is unclear whether anticoagulant therapy can increase the live birth rate in all of these cases. Recent data suggest that a low-dose aspirin and heparin combination therapy is effective in the prevention of recurrent pregnancy loss in women with antiphospholipid syndrome. Thrombogenic diseases, for example, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, factor XII deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia, may cause pregnancy loss. The etiology of recurrent miscarriage is often unclear and may be multifactorial, with much controversy regarding diagnosis and treatment. Although 70% of recurrent pregnancy losses are unexplained, anticoagulant therapy is effective in maintaining pregnancy without antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. We conclude that a low-dose aspirin and heparin combination therapy can be useful for unexplained cases of recurrent pregnancy loss without antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. (Reprod Med Biol 2008; 7: 1-10).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiko Makino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University Medical School, Mizuho-ku Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Mayumi Sugiura-Ogasawara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University Medical School, Mizuho-ku Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
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Abstract
Many unanswered questions regarding thrombophilia and recurrent pregnancy loss exist. For example, does a true association exist? Are thrombotic mechanisms relevant? Is a second messenger necessary to cause the manifestation of thrombosis? At present it seems that thrombophilia are associated with and may even cause some cases of pregnancy loss. The role of treatment remains to be determined. Although the aim of physicians working in this field is entirely laudable, to allow childless couples to have children, it is necessary to have good evidence of effect before treatment is given to all patients. A serious ethical dilemma remains, however, namely should treatment that may be effective be denied to patients who have prior pregnancy losses? Denial of treatment is extremely distressing for the patient and the physician. The author's own practice is to offer treatment after a full explanation, particularly because treatment is generally prescribed in the antiphospholipid syndrome and justified in hereditary thrombophilias according to the report of Carp and colleagues, showing a 25% improvement in live birth rates in treated patients. When treatment fails, however, the embryo should be karyotyped to exclude chromosomal aberrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard J A Carp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621 Israel, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Israel.
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Ruano R, Fontes RS, Zugaib M. Prevention of preeclampsia with low-dose aspirin -- a systematic review and meta-analysis of the main randomized controlled trials. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2005; 60:407-14. [PMID: 16254678 DOI: 10.1590/s1807-59322005000500010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose aspirin in the prevention of preeclampsia in low-risk and high-risk women. We identified randomized clinical trials of the use of low-dose aspirin to prevent preeclampsia through the PUBMED search engine, and through the Cochran Library database. Twenty-two studies met our inclusion criteria, and were divided according to the studied population into 2 groups: trials with women at low risk for preeclampsia and trials with women at high risk. Effects were measured through the incidence of preeclampsia in women taking either placebo or aspirin, in studies where the relative risks and the 95% confidence intervals were calculated for both groups. A total of 33,598 women were studied, comprising 5 trials with 16,700 women at low-risk and 17 trials including 16,898 women at high risk. The incidence of preeclampsia was 3.75% (626/17,700), in the low-risk group, 9.01% (1,524/16,898) in the high-risk group, and 6.40% (2,150/33,598) overall. Low-dose aspirin had no statistically significantly effect on the incidence of preeclampsia in the low-risk group (RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.81-1.11), but had a small beneficial effect in the high-risk group (RR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.79-0.96). Therefore, low-dose aspirin is mildly beneficial in terms of reducing the incidence of preeclampsia in women at high risk of developing preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Ruano
- Department o Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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