Safety and efficacy of plasmapheresis in treatment of acute fatty liver of pregnancy-a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a fatal disease occurring in 3rd trimester. The safety and efficacy of plasmapheresis/plasma exchange (PP/PE) as an adjunctive treatment in patients of AFLP has been studied. We performed systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the clinical parameters that included mortality rates and improvement of the biochemical parameters including Liver and Renal function enzymes, coagulopathy factors of AFLP patients.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane, CINAHL and Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov. RevMan statistical software was used for meta-analysis.

Results

Pooled survival proportion for AFLP patients treated with PP/PE was 87.74% (95% CI: 82.84 to 91.65). Efficacy of PP/PE was studied by its effect on mortality. PE/PP was associated with the reduction in the mortality with pooled odds ratio of 0.51 (95% CI: 0.08 to 3.09) with I2 = 86%. Sensitivity analysis after excluding outlier study, yielded a pooled odds ratio of 0.19 (95% CI: 0.02 to 1.52) with reduced heterogeneity (I2 = 63%). Biochemical parameter analysis demonstrated significant improvement post-PP/PE treatment, including decreased bilirubin (MD: 8.30, 95% CI: 6.75 to 9.84), AST (MD: 107.25, 95% CI: 52.45 to 162.06), ALT (MD: 111.08, 95% CI: 27.18 to 194.97), creatinine (MD: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.39 to 1.93), and Prothrombin time (MD: 5.08, 95% CI: 2.93 to 7.22).

Discussion

Despite some heterogeneity, PP/PE shows promise in improving biochemical parameters in AFLP patients. PE can serve as a therapeutic approach for AFLP particularly in severe or refractory cases. PE provides the time for organ to recover and helps in creating a homeostatic environment for liver. Large RCTs and propensity matched studies are needed to better understand the safety and efficacy of the treatment.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022315698.

Acute liver failure in pregnancy

Liver function abnormalities are noted in a minority of pregnancies with multiple causes for the same. A small proportion of these develop severe liver injury and progress to acute liver failure (ALF). There is a discrete set of etiology for ALF in pregnancy and comprehensive understanding will help in urgent evaluation. Certain diseases such as acute fatty liver of pregnancy, hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, low platelet (HELLP) syndrome and pre-eclampsia are secondary to pregnant state and can present as ALF. Quick and targeted evaluation with urgent institution of etiology-specific management, especially urgent delivery in patients with pregnancy-associated liver diseases, is the key to avoiding maternal deaths. Pregnancy, as also the fetal life, imparts a further layer of complication in assessment, prognosis and management of these sick patients with ALF. Optimal management often requires a multidisciplinary approach in a well-equipped centre. In this review, we discuss evaluation, assessment and management of pregnant patients with ALF, focussing on approach to pregnancy-associated liver diseases.

EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of liver diseases in pregnancy

Liver diseases in pregnancy comprise both gestational liver disorders and acute and chronic hepatic disorders occurring coincidentally in pregnancy. Whether related to pregnancy or pre-existing, liver diseases in pregnancy are associated with a significant risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Thus, the European Association for the Study of Liver Disease invited a panel of experts to develop clinical practice guidelines aimed at providing recommendations, based on the best available evidence, for the management of liver disease in pregnancy for hepatologists, gastroenterologists, obstetric physicians, general physicians, obstetricians, specialists in training and other healthcare professionals who provide care for this patient population.

Diagnosis and management of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy

Thrombocytopenia, defined as platelet count <150×10⁹/L, is frequently observed by physicians during pregnancy, with an incidence of approximately 10% of all pregnancies. Most of the cases of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy are due to gestational thrombocytopenia, which does not confer an increased risk of maternal bleeding. However, because other causes can be associated with life-threatening events, such as severe bleeding, that can affect to maternal and fetal outcomes, differentiating other cause of thrombocytopenia, which includes preeclampsia, HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, immune thrombocytopenia, hereditary thrombocytopenia, antiphospholipid syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, is important. Understanding the mechanisms and recognition of symptoms and signs are important to decide an adequate line of investigation. In this review, the approach to diagnosis and the management of the thrombocytopenia commonly observed in pregnancy are presented.

A Rare Disease Presenting Postpartum: Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is a rare but highly fatal disease affecting women most frequently during the third trimester of pregnancy or in the postpartum period. It is considered a diagnosis of exclusion and requires a timely diagnosis to avoid maternal mortality. We present the case of a 33-year-old primigravida who required an emergency cesarean section due to fetal bradycardia. On postoperative day one, the patient was noted jaundiced, oliguric, and hypoglycemic. Laboratory tests revealed important hepatic dysfunction, coagulopathy, and renal failure. She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with the suspicion of acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Plasma exchange was started on postoperative day 5 with major clinical and laboratory improvement. A transjugular hepatic biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. The patient had satisfactory evolution and was discharged 15 days after delivery. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is a highly morbid disease that needs a high index of suspicion to be diagnosed. Admission to an Intensive Care Unit to ensure maximum supportive care is mandatory in this disease.

Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is a rare, but potentially fatal obstetric disorder characterized principally by varying degrees of hepatic failure with an onset typically in late pregnancy. This review outlines the etiopathogenesis and describes the multiorgan involvement that often results in a number of clinical and laboratory aberrations. These laboratory derangements provide distinct features to differentiate from other obstetric complications, such as hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. Once recognized, central to the management of acute fatty liver of pregnancy is delivery planning and meticulous supportive care. One particularly dangerous complication is profound coagulopathy. After delivery, the coagulation defect resolves over 1-2 days, and hepatic and renal function are restored soon thereafter. This report offers anticipated recovery and management strategies for commonly associated complications. Application of these factors has served to decrease mortality from as high as 80% down to 10%; however, given the seriousness of this condition, severe maternal morbidities are frequently associated with this obstetric emergency.

Plasma exchange as treatment for acute fatty liver disease of pregnancy

Acute fatty liver disease of pregnancy AFLP is an obstetrical emergency, with severe complications that may include death. Management of AFLP is challenging and include plasma exchange which helps to improve the prognosis for both mother and fetus and delay liver transplantation.

Update on Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy

Thrombocytopenia, defined as platelet count < 150,000 mm³, is frequently diagnosed by obstetricians since this parameter is included in routine surveillance during pregnancy, with an incidence of between 7 and 12%. Therefore, decisions regarding subsequent examination and management are primordial. While most of the cases are due to physiological changes, as gestational thrombocytopenia, other causes can be related to severe conditions that can lead to fetal or maternal death. Differentiating these conditions might be challenging: they can be pregnancy-specific (pre-eclampsia/HELLP syndrome [hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets]), or not (immune thrombocytopenia purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or hemolytic uremic syndrome). Understanding the mechanisms and recognition of symptoms and signs is essential to decide an adequate line of investigation. The severity of thrombocytopenia, its etiology and gestational age dictates different treatment regimens.

Missing or making the timely diagnosis of acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP): lessons learned

OBJECTIVE

To review the presenting signs, symptoms, laboratory findings, clinical courses, complications, and maternal outcomes in women determined on medicolegal review to have had acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP).

METHODS

We retrospectively studied case files from women with medical and/or hypertensive complications of pregnancy which had been reviewed by the first author, deidentified and divested of legal documents so that only medical-related information was retained for later research and teaching purposes. Main outcomes are 12 lessons learned from this review to be offered for the future benefit of clinicians encountering patients with AFLP.

RESULTS

Eleven women with AFLP were identified within the 161 file database. Signs and symptoms present in 91-100% of women with AFLP were altered sensorium, a fast resting maternal pulse >100/min, gastrointestinal complaints, muscle pain and evidence of fetal compromise/stillbirth. Laboratory findings in 91-100% revealed abnormal liver, renal and coagulation tests, hyperuricemia, and very low serum glucose and albumin. A correct initial diagnosis of AFLP was made for only three women; the most common incorrect presumptive diagnosis was HELLP syndrome. Four women survived. Twelve major findings are discussed.

CONCLUSION

Rapid, timely and thorough evaluation of third trimester women presenting with A (Altered mental status changes/extreme sleepiness), F (Fast resting pulse >100 in the absence of fever or heart causation), L (Liver-related gastrointestinal complaints) and P (Pain as myalgias and body aches), often in association with evidence of fetal compromise or stillbirth, should initiate efforts to investigate a possible diagnosis of AFLP. Adoption of the concepts summarized including core initial laboratory testing, immediate patient transfer to tertiary care, and aggressive correction of consumptive coagulopathy could form the basis of a patient safety bundle to guide future management for patients with AFLP.

Potential predictors for prognosis and postpartum recovery time of acute fatty liver of pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a potentially lethal condition of pregnant women with a high mortality rate. Potential predictors related to postpartum recovery time and prognostic factors of AFLP are still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate potential predictors for prognosis and postpartum recovery time of AFLP.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 76 AFLP patients in our hospital from 2002 to 2017 and investigated potential predictors using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) was found to be associated with prognosis in AFLP patients (P = 0.005, OR = 26.844). The postpartum recovery time analysis showed that AFLP patients with a age < 25 had the shortest recovery time, but no significant difference (P = 0.134, OR = 5.952). The postpartum recovery time of patients with liver failure (LF) was significantly prolonged compared to those without LF (P = 0.036, OR = 10.052). Cryoprecipitate, and plasma infusion showed no significant effect on prognosis or recovery time. Artificial liver support therapy (ALST) had no effect on prognosis, but it might affect postpartum recovery time with no statistical significance (P = 0.128, OR = 5.470).

CONCLUSION

HE is a potential predictor for prognosis of AFLP. LF is a potential predictor for postpartum recovery time.

Pregnancy-specific liver diseases

Liver disease presenting in pregnancy may be due to a pregnancy-specific liver disorder, due to previously unrecognised pre-existing liver disease, or de novo liver disorders coincidentally presenting in a pregnant woman. The pregnancy-specific liver diseases can span from mild disease with limited impact on maternal and foetal health to severe disorders that can result in significant morbidity and mortality for mother and foetus. Swift identification of these disorders is essential to allow timely and appropriate management via a multi-disciplinary approach. The pregnancy-specific conditions, including their presentation, investigations, and management are reviewed in this chapter in detail.

Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy: Pathophysiology, Anesthetic Implications, and Obstetrical Management

A narrative review of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, delivery implications, obstetric anesthesia care, and potential critical care needs in patients presenting with acute fatty liver of pregnancy.

Severe fatty liver of pregnancy requiring an extremely large amount of blood transfusion, surgery and transarterial embolization: A case report

We report a case of massive bleeding due to a coagulation disorder associated with acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP); the patient survived by massive transfusion. She presented at 34 weeks of gestation, met six of the Swansea criteria, and was diagnosed with severe AFLP. We performed an emergency cesarean section because termination of the pregnancy was necessary for the treatment of the AFLP. After the surgery, which led to massive bleeding in the peritoneal cavity due to the coagulation disorder, she underwent two further operations and three transarterial embolizations. She received factor VII and underwent plasma exchange, and hemostasis was achieved on day 10 after hospitalization. The total volume of blood transfused was 772 units (170 units of red cell concentrate, 212 units of fresh frozen plasma, and 390 units of platelet concentrate). To the best of our knowledge, this is the most severe case of non-fatal AFLP reported to date in terms of the transfusion volume.

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Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a potentially fatal pregnancy complication.

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This is a severe case of AFLP, in which massive bleeding occurred due to marked coagulopathy.

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To the best of our knowledge, this is the most severe case of non-fatal AFLP reported till date.

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For severe cases of AFLP, continuation of active treatments such as massive blood transfusion and surgery are important.

Treating acute fatty liver of pregnancy with artificial liver support therapy: Systematic review

BACKGROUND

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a serious disease with high mortality. Recent data suggest that postpartum application of artificial liver support therapy (ALST) in AFLP management improves disease outcome. In current study, we tend to further evaluate whether the type, the timing, and the number of postpartum ALST sessions and other clinical factors including complications and liver and renal function will influence disease outcome in ALST era.

METHODS

Medical records of 15 AFLP patients having postpartum ALST in our hospital from 2010 to 2016 were first retrospectively reviewed. A systematic review and statistical analysis was then conducted with our cases and those having postpartum ALST reported in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov till the end of June 2016.

RESULTS

Nine relevant studies were identified in the public databases. A total of 104 cases were enrolled for analysis including 15 cases from our hospital and 89 cases from the identified 9 studies. Univariate analysis revealed that 2 complications, postpartum hemorrhage and multiple organ dysfunctions (MODS), were associated with the outcome of AFLP patients undergoing postpartum ALST. Binary logistic regression analysis further indicated that MODS was the only independent factor affecting disease outcome. Surprisingly, factors including pre-ALST serum levels of total bilirubin and creatinine, the type and number of postpartum ALST sessions, time interval between delivery and ALST were unrelated to disease outcome.

CONCLUSION

Current data suggest that postpartum ALST improves the outcome of AFLP patients but more properly designed experiments are needed to confirm this point. Our study further indicates that occurrence of MODS carries a bad prognosis even in ALST era. Our study provides valuable information on guiding the clinical application of postpartum ALST in AFLP management.

Liver Disease During Pregnancy: A Challenging Clinical Issue

One of the least studied topics in the field of obstetrics is liver disease during pregnancy, which creates a challenge for both gynecologists and hepatologists. Approximately 3% of pregnant women are affected by some form of liver disease during pregnancy. Some of these conditions can be fatal for both the mother and child. In addition, 3 types of liver disease need to be differentiated during pregnancy. One type is liver disease directly related to pregnancy, which can occur at a specific time during pregnancy. Another type is liver disease not related to pregnancy, which can occur at any time, such as viral- or drug-induced hepatitis. Furthermore, pregnancy can occur in women with pre-existing liver disease. It is essential that the clinicians are familiar with this disorder so they can respond promptly and appropriately in all of these situations, especially when emergency delivery is needed and must not be postponed.

Therapeutic plasma exchange: A prospective randomized trial to evaluate 2 strategies in patients with liver failure

OBJECTIVE

To compare two means of performing therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in patients with liver failure.

METHOD

This open-label monocentric randomized trial, conducted in a single prestigious general healthcare facility, recruited liver failure patients with an indication to receive artificial liver support therapy for TPE. All patients underwent TPE procedures and were administered in a random sequence: heparin-free or systemic heparinization with unfractionated heparin. The primary endpoint was completion of TPE sessions, and the secondary endpoints included the safety and efficacy.

RESULTS

In the period of the studying, there were 164 patients being recruited in and underwent total of 398 randomized TPEs: 168 with unfractionated heparin and 230 with heparin-free. In unfractionated heparin group, there were 3 cases (1.79%) being interrupted due to uncontrollable intraoperative pulmonary hemorrhages and gastrointestinal bleeding. In heparin-free group, 228 (99.13%) were completed successfully and 2 of them (0.87%) were switched from heparin-free to unfractionated heparin eventually. No significant differences were found between the two groups for either RRs or IRs (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Heparin-free regimen is feasible and safer than systemic heparinization with unfractionated heparin in the process of TPEs in patients with liver failure.

[Acute fatty liver of pregnancy and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Consequences for the offspring]

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare liver disease unique to pregnancy that can lead to acute liver failure. The prognosis, initially often fatal for both mother and child, has been improved by prompt delivery. The diagnosis should be highly suspected if the mother presents epigastric pain, nausea and/or vomiting, or polyuria-polydipsia in the third trimester of pregnancy. AFLP has been found associated with a genetic deficiency of fatty acid beta-oxidation, which may cause sudden death in infancy. Consequently, the mother and her newborn should undergo screening for this deficiency.

Immunology of hepatic diseases during pregnancy

The mother's immune system has to adapt to pregnancy accepting the semi-allograft fetus and preventing harmful effects to the developing child. Aberrations in feto-maternal immune adaptation may result in disease of the mother, such as liver injury. Five pregnancy-associated liver disorders have been described so far, however, little is known concerning immune alterations promoting the respective disease. These liver disorders are pre-eclampsia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP), acute fatty liver, hyperemesis gravidarum, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. On the other hand, pre-existing autoimmune liver injury of the mother can be affected by pregnancy. This review intends to summarize current knowledge linking feto-maternal immunology and liver inflammation with a special emphasis on novel potential biomarkers.

Pregnancy and liver disease

Pregnancy associated liver diseases affect up to 3% of pregnant women and are the most frequent cause of liver dysfunction in pregnancy. When severe, they are associated with significant morbidity and mortality for both mother and infant. A rapid evaluation to distinguish them from non-pregnancy related liver dysfunction is essential, in order to facilitate appropriate management. Liver disease unrelated to pregnancy can present de novo in pregnancy, or pregnancy can occur in women with preexisting liver pathology (Table 1). Research and subsequent advances in medical care have resulted in improved but still not satisfactory maternal and fetal outcomes. In this review we provide an overview of the liver diseases specific to the pregnant state and an update on their pathogenesis, treatment and outcomes. The risks of pregnancy in women with pre-existent liver pathology is detailed and recent advances in our understanding of specific risks and outcomes are discussed.

Therapeutic apheresis in pregnancy: General considerations and current practice

It is widely known that pregnancy does not represent a contraindication to therapeutic apheresis (TA) techniques. In fact, since the first experiences of TA in pregnancy for the prevention of hemolytic disease of the newborn, several diseases are at present treated with TA, mainly within 6 clinical categories: (a) TA is a priority and has no alternative equally effective treatment (e.g., thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura); (b) TA is a priority but there are alternative therapies not contraindicated in pregnancy (e.g., myasthenia gravis); (c) TA is an effective tool of saving/avoiding drugs contraindicated in pregnancy (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus); (d) TA is a treatment of specific conditions/complications of pregnancy with maternal and/or fetal risk (e.g., antiphospholipid syndrome); (e) TA is a treatment of specific conditions of pregnancy with exclusive fetal risk (e.g., hemolytic disease of the newborn); (f) TA is a treatment of disease which is strongly indicated and can exceptionally occur during pregnancy (e.g., Goodpasture's syndrome). When dealing with TA pregnant patients, some technical aspects due to the physiological changes of gestation have to be carefully considered, in particular the increase of the circulating blood volume. Moreover a multidisciplinary medical team, including an obstetrician, a clinical consultant, specialist in TA and in transfusion medicine, and a neonatologist stand as a basic requirement for the proper management of some clinical conditions that may be characterized by high maternal and fetal risk.