Effect of thrombocytopenia on mode of analgesia/anesthesia and maternal and neonatal outcomes

Platelet count and indices as postpartum hemorrhage risk factors: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Severe postpartum hemorrhage (SPPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Platelet anomalies frequently occur during pregnancy. However, their role in the etiology of SPPH is largely unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To study the relation between platelet parameters and SPPH.

METHODS

This retrospective single-center cohort included deliveries between 2009 and 2017. SPPH was defined as ≥1000 ml blood loss within 24 h after delivery. Platelet parameters were measured within 72 h before delivery. Multiple imputation was performed for missing data. Odds ratios were adjusted (aORs) for maternal age, multiple gestation, macrosomia, induction of labor, preeclampsia, and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome.

RESULTS

A total of 23 205 deliveries were included. Of the 2402 (10.4%) women with thrombocytopenia (<150 × 109 /L), 10.3% developed SPPH, compared with 7.6% of women with a normal platelet count (aOR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.14-1.59). Women with a platelet count of <50 × 109 /L were most at risk (aOR of 2.24 [1.01-4.94]) compared with the reference group with normal platelet counts; the aOR was 1.22 (0.77-1.93) for the 50-99 × 109 /L platelet count group and 1.31 (1.10-1.56) for the 100-149 × 109 /L platelet count group. Plateletcrit was associated with SPPH (aOR 1.15 [1.08-1.21] per 0.05% decrease), and, although rarely present, a platelet distribution width (PDW) ≥23% (n = 22) also increased the odds of SPPH (aOR 6.05 [2.29-16.20]).

CONCLUSION

Different degrees of thrombocytopenia were independently associated with the occurrence of SPPH. Despite their relation to SPPH, plateletcrit and a PDW of ≥23% have limited additional value in addition to platelet count.

Severe thrombocytopenia in pregnancy: a retrospective study

: Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count less than 150 000/μl and it is the most common hematologic disease after anemia in pregnancy. This study aims to investigate pregnant women with severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50 000/μl). In the relevant literature, few studies have addressed severe thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. This is a retrospective study based on the data from a reference center in Ankara, Turkey between January 2016 and December 2017. The study group consisted of 51 pregnant women who had two platelet counts lower than 50 000/μl. Descriptive statistical methods were utilized to analyze the results. The study analyzed the causes of severe thrombocytopenia, maternal and fetal-neonatal outcomes, and the management of the patients. The common causes of severe thrombocytopenia were hypertensive disorders (66.7%), immune thrombocytopenia (13.7%), massive obstetric hemorrhage (7.8%), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (5.9%). The preterm delivery occurred in 58.8% of the patients, and 46 live-births (two twins), six stillbirths, and one pregnancy termination emerged. Postpartum hemorrhage occurred in four (0.08%) patients, and blood transfusion was performed in 15 (29.4%) patients. The platelet transfusion was required to increase the platelet count of 30 (58.8%) patients. The study showed that the incidence of causes in severe thrombocytopenia in pregnancy varied considerably from mild and moderate thrombocytopenia. Despite severe thrombocytopenia, maternal and neonatal bleeding complications were infrequent in the study group.

Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy Nearing Term: A Clinical Analysis

Background and aim

Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy varies from benign to severe with fetomaternal complications. We aimed to evaluate thrombocytopenia in pregnant Indian females in third trimester mainly during labor and delivery.

Materials and methods

It was a prospective observational study done in a tertiary care teaching public hospital over 1 year. Consecutive 150 pregnant patients admitted to labor ward with thrombocytopenia were analyzed for etiology of thrombocytopenia, severity, mode of delivery, type of anesthesia, and fetomaternal complications. SPSS version 17 was used for the analysis.

Results

Most common cause of thrombocytopenia was preeclampsia 50 (33.3%) and preeclampsia with hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, and low platelet count syndrome (HELLP syndrome) 31 (20.7%) together followed by gestational 42 (28%). Infectious causes such as malaria, dengue, and leptospirosis were found in 19 patients (12.7%). Moderate to severe thrombocytopenia was seen in preeclampsia, preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome, and infectious etiology. Eleven patients (7.3%) developed antepartum hemorrhage (APH), 24 (16%) postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), 12 (8%) required ICU admission, and 3 (2%) mortalities were noted. Fifteen neonates (10%) needed ICU admission. Complications were observed in preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome (82%) and infectious causes (18%) and none in gestational. Sixty-eight patients underwent lower segment cesarean section (LSCS), among them 41 (27.3%) were given spinal anesthesia (SA) and none of them developed any neurological complications.

Conclusion

Study widened the spectrum of causes for thrombocytopenia in pregnant patients. Preeclampsia with or without HELLP syndrome and vector-borne infections such as malaria, dengue, and leptospirosis were found to be very important causes of moderate to severe thrombocytopenia and were associated with complications. Spinal anesthesia is safe in parturients with mild thrombocytopenia. Awareness and vigilance about thrombocytopenia is vital to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.

How to cite this article

Harde M, Bhadade R, deSouza R, Jhingan M. Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy Nearing Term: A Clinical Analysis. IJCCM 2019;23(11):503–508.

Statistical analysis plan for the WOMAN-ETAPlaT study: Effect of tranexamic acid on platelet function and thrombin generation

Background. Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a potentially life-threatening complication for women, and the leading cause of maternal mortality. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic used worldwide to treat uterine haemorrhage and to reduce blood loss in general surgery. TXA may have effects on thrombin generation, platelet function and coagulation factors as a result of its inhibition on the plasmin. Methods. WOMAN ETAPlaT is a sub-study of the World Maternal Antifibrinolitic trial (WOMAN trial). All adult women clinically diagnosed with PPH after a vaginal delivery or caesarean section, are eligible for inclusion in the study. Blood samples will be collected at the baseline and 30 minutes after the first dose of study treatment is given. Platelet function will be evaluated in whole blood immediately after sampling with Multiplate® tests (ADPtest and TRAPtest). Thrombin generation, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and coagulation factors vW, V and VIII will be analysed using platelet poor plasma. Results. Recruitment to WOMAN ETAPlaT started on 04 November 2013 and closed on 13 January 2015, during this time  188 patients were recruited. The final participant follow-up was completed on 04 March 2015. This article introduces the statistical analysis plan for the study, without reference to unblinded data.   Conclusion. The data from this study will provide evidence for the effect of TXA on thrombin generation, platelet function and coagulation factors in women with PPH. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00872469; ISRCTN76912190

Statistical analysis plan for the WOMAN-ETAPlaT study: Effect of tranexamic acid on platelet function and thrombin generation

Background. Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a potentially life-threatening complication for women, and the leading cause of maternal mortality. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic used worldwide to treat uterine haemorrhage and to reduce blood loss in general surgery. TXA may have effects on thrombin generation, platelet function and coagulation factors as a result of its inhibition on the plasmin.

Methods. WOMAN ETAPlaT is a sub-study of the World Maternal Antifibrinolitic trial (WOMAN trial). All adult women clinically diagnosed with PPH after a vaginal delivery or caesarean section, are eligible for inclusion in the study. Blood samples will be collected at the baseline and 30 minutes after the first dose of study treatment is given. Platelet function will be evaluated in whole blood immediately after sampling with Multiplate® tests (ADPtest and TRAPtest). Thrombin generation, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and coagulation factors vW, V and VIII will be analysed using platelet poor plasma.

Results. Recruitment to WOMAN ETAPlaT started on 04 November 2013 and closed on 13 January 2015, during this time  188 patients were recruited. The final participant follow-up was completed on 04 March 2015. This article introduces the statistical analysis plan for the study, without reference to unblinded data.  

Conclusion. The data from this study will provide evidence for the effect of TXA on thrombin generation, platelet function and coagulation factors in women with PPH.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00872469; ISRCTN76912190