scholarly journals LDH/AST ratio: a futureresourcefor thrombotic microangiopathies differential diagnosis in pregnancy

Author(s):  
Lorella Battini ◽  
Mei Federica ◽  
Falchi Nadia ◽  
Tamaraschi Denise ◽  
Bottone Pietro ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate the clinical approach, the diagnostic method and the most appropriate therapeutic management of thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA) in pregnancy, still leading killers in the obstetric area today. Materials and methods: A large review of the international literature and available clinical studies has been carried out in order to define the current state of the art regarding TMA in pregnancy. In the light of this, 9 clinical cases, among 152 TMA cases, of pregnant women hospitalized and who gave birth in the Pisa University Hospital O.O. U.U. Gynecology and Obstetrics 1 and 2 from 2010 to 2019, were identified, analyzed and re-discussed. Results: Analyzing the diagnostic method and the medical records, we made a critical review of these 9 cases, accurately analyzing the diagnoses made. Among these cases, 6 Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP), 2 HELLP Syndrome and 1 Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) were diagnosed during pregnancy. By analyzing the medical records, the diagnostic method and the therapeutic management of these patients, we questioned the diagnoses made. These diagnoses, from our analytical point of view, are partially not corresponding, being 4 cases of TTP and 5 possible cases of aHUS. Conclusion: From the review of our case history, in the Pisa Obstetric clinics, it is possible to find an under diagnosis of the aHUS cases compared to those of TTP and HELLP syndrome, due both to the unavailability of the ADAMTS13 functionality test and to the unused LDH/AST ratio, which in our opinion could represent a future resource in diagnostic approach to thrombotic microangiopathies in pregnancy.

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 1719-1732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Palomo ◽  
Miquel Blasco ◽  
Patricia Molina ◽  
Miquel Lozano ◽  
Manuel Praga ◽  
...  

Background and objectivesAtypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is a form of thrombotic microangiopathy caused by dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway. There is evidence showing complement activation in other thrombotic microangiopathies. The aim of this study was to evaluate complement activation in different thrombotic microangiopathies and to monitor treatment response.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsComplement activation was assessed by exposing endothelial cells to sera or activated-patient plasma—citrated plasma mixed with a control sera pool (1:1)—to analyze C5b-9 deposits by immunofluorescence. Patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (n=34) at different stages of the disease, HELLP syndrome (a pregnancy complication characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) or severe preeclampsia (n=10), and malignant hypertension (n=5) were included.ResultsAcute phase atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome–activated plasma induced an increased C5b-9 deposition on endothelial cells. Standard and lower doses of eculizumab inhibited C5b-9 deposition in all patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, except in two who showed partial remission and clinical relapse. Significant fibrin formation was observed together with C5b-9 deposition. Results obtained using activated-plasma samples were more marked and reproducible than those obtained with sera. C5b-9 deposition was also increased with samples from patients with HELLP (all cases) and preeclampsia (90%) at disease onset. This increase was sustained in those with HELLP after 40 days, and levels normalized in patients with both HELLP and preeclampsia after 6–9 months. Complement activation in those with malignant hypertension was at control levels.ConclusionsThe proposed methodology identifies complement overactivation in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome at acute phase and in other diseases such as HELLP syndrome and preeclampsia. Moreover, it is sensitive enough to individually assess the efficiency of the C5 inhibition treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Shravya Govindappagari ◽  
Michelle Nguyen ◽  
Megha Gupta ◽  
Ramy M. Hanna ◽  
Richard M. Burwick

Severe vitamin B12 deficiency may present with hematologic abnormalities that mimic thrombotic microangiopathy disorders such as hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. We report a patient diagnosed with severe vitamin B12 deficiency, following termination of pregnancy for suspected preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome at 21 weeks’ gestation. When hemolysis and thrombocytopenia persisted after delivery, testing was performed to rule out other etiologies of thrombotic microangiopathy, including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and vitamin B12 deficiency. This work-up revealed undetectable vitamin B12 levels and presence of intrinsic factor antibodies, consistent with pernicious anemia. Parenteral B12 supplementation was initiated, with subsequent improvement in hematologic parameters. Our case emphasizes the importance of screening for B12 deficiency in pregnancy, especially in at-risk women with unexplained anemia or thrombocytopenia. Moreover, providers should consider B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia in the differential diagnosis of pregnancy-associated thrombotic microangiopathy.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (19) ◽  
pp. 2103-2117
Author(s):  
Fadi Fakhouri ◽  
Marie Scully ◽  
François Provôt ◽  
Miquel Blasco ◽  
Paul Coppo ◽  
...  

Abstract Pregnancy and postpartum are high-risk periods for different forms of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). However, the management of pregnancy-associated TMA remains ill defined. This report, by an international multidisciplinary working group of obstetricians, nephrologists, hematologists, intensivists, neonatologists, and complement biologists, summarizes the current knowledge of these potentially severe disorders and proposes a practical clinical approach to diagnose and manage an episode of pregnancy-associated TMA. This approach takes into account the timing of TMA in pregnancy or postpartum, coexisting symptoms, first-line laboratory workup, and probability-based assessment of possible causes of pregnancy-associated TMA. Its aims are: to rule thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in or out, with urgency, using ADAMTS13 activity testing; to consider alternative disorders with features of TMA (preeclampsia/eclampsia; hemolysis elevated liver enzymes low platelets syndrome; antiphospholipid syndrome); or, ultimately, to diagnose complement-mediated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS; a diagnosis of exclusion). Although they are rare, diagnosing TTP and aHUS associated with pregnancy, and postpartum, is paramount as both require urgent specific treatment.


Author(s):  
Luigi Carbone ◽  
Antonio Raffone ◽  
Antonio Travaglino ◽  
Laura Sarno ◽  
Alessandro Conforti ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread in Italy since February 2020, inducing the government to call for lockdown of any activity, apart primary needs, during the months March–May 2020. During the lockdown, a reduction of admissions and hospitalizations for ischemic diseases was noticed. Purpose of this study was to observe if there has been the same reduction trend in Accident & Emergency (A&E) unit admissions also for obstetric-gynecological conditions. Methods Medical records and electronic clinical databases were searched for all patients who were admitted to the obstetric A&E department or hospitalized at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit of University hospital of Naples Federico II, during the quarter March–May in the years 2019 and 2020. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of monthly admission to the obstetric A&E department and hospitalization of the year 2020 was compared with that of the year 2019, using the unpaired T test with α error set to 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results Admissions were 1483 in the year 2020 and 1786 in 2019. Of total, 1225 (37.5%) women were hospitalized: 583 in the year 2020, 642 in 2019. Mean ± SD of patients monthly admitted to our obstetric A&E department was 494 ± 33.7 in the year 2020, and 595.3 ± 30.9 in 2019, with a mean difference of − 101.3 (95% CI − 103.5 to − 99.1; p < 0.0001). Mean ± SD of patients monthly hospitalized to our department was 194 ± 19.1 in the year 2020, 213.7 ± 4.7 in 2019, with a mean difference of − 19.7 (95% CI − 23.8 to − 15.6; p < 0.0001). Conclusion A significant decrease in the mean of monthly admissions and hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared to the previous year was found also for obstetric–gynecological conditions. Further studies are necessary to assess COVID-19 impact and to take the most appropriate countermeasures.


Author(s):  
Charles Kakou ◽  
Roland Adjoby ◽  
Raoul Kasse ◽  
Victorine Assuikwe ◽  
Boston Mian ◽  
...  

Background: To determine the epidemiological aspects of genital prolapse; to describe the different clinical aspects of genital prolapse observed and to evaluate the therapeutic management of genital prolapse at the University hospital of Cocody (UH-C).Methods: We did an observational and transversal study with a descriptive purpose over 5 years from 2012 to 2016 in the Gynecology and obstetrics department of UH-C. The studied population was all cases of genital prolapse diagnosed and treated in the service during the period of the study. A follow-up over one year after surgery has been observed to evaluate surgical outcomes and recurrences. Genital prolapse was generally a uterine prolapse at stage 3 or 4. It was associated to cystocele in 31.4%. We did not find stress urinary incontinence associated with prolapse in our study. The surgical intervention performed was, in the majority case, the triple perineal intervention with success of 95.6%. A case of recurrence in the form of cystocele has been observed to a year of decline.Results: Genital prolapse was relatively common. It accounted for 0.5% of all gynecological visits. Women were young with an average age of 39.5 years. 62.9% were multiparous. 62.5% had given birth at least once at home without medical assistance. The reason for consultation the most watched was the projection of body at the vulva.Conclusions: Genital prolapse is a condition under estimated in Côte d'Ivoire. It represented 0.5% of the gynecological visits. Obstetric traumas were frequently found in our young patients with genital prolapse. The sociocultural considerations have contributed to delay consultations, to observe very advanced stages. The surgery performed was mainly the perineal triple surgery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-135

Introduction: Abdominal emergencies occur in pregnant women with the rate of 1:500−635 pregnancies. Such conditions usually develop from full health and worsen rapidly. Symptoms are often similar to those in physiological pregnancy (abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation). The diagnostic process is thus difficult and both the mother and her child are at risk. Our aim was to evaluate the frequency of abdominal emergencies in the Department of Surgery, University Hospital in Pilsen and to consider their impact on pregnancy and on the newborn. Methods: We acquired a set of patients by retrograde collection of data. We searched for pregnant patients suspected of developing an abdominal emergency admitted to the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Pilsen between 2004 and 2015. We evaluated a number of clinical signs to statistically describe the set. Results: The set included 121 patients; 42 of the patients underwent a surgical procedure and 79 received conservative treatment. 38 patients underwent appendectomy; 6 appendixes were with no pathologies. McBurney’s incision was an approach of choice in most cases. The most frequent symptom was pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant. The foetus has been lost in none of the cases. Conclusion: Acute appendicitis was the most frequent abdominal emergency in our set and also the most frequent reason for surgical intervention. The most specific sign was pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant. No impact of appendicitis or appendectomy on the health of the newborn has been observed. Even though abdominal emergencies in pregnancy are relatively rare, the results of the department are very good.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (68) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Ioniţă Ducu ◽  
Roxana-Elena Bohîlţea ◽  
Dan Teleanu ◽  
Natalia Ţurcan ◽  
Monica Mihaela Cîrstoiu

2021 ◽  
Vol 09 (03) ◽  
pp. E292-E296
Author(s):  
Tone Lise Åvitsland ◽  
Lars Aabakken

Abstract Background and study aims Previous reports have suggested that endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in pediatric patients are safe. However, the total number of cases presented in the literature remains small. We present results regarding safety and outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing ERCP at Oslo University Hospital. Patients and methods Patients < 18 years who underwent ERCP between April 1999 and November 2017 were identified using procedure codes. Medical records were examined for age, gender, diagnosis, indications, type of sedation, findings, interventions, and complications. Results A total of 244 procedures were performed in 158 patients. Fifty-six of these were in 53 infants (age ≤ 1 year). Mean age was 8.8 years. The youngest patient was 8 days old. Mean weight was 5.0 kg in infants, the smallest weighing 2.9 kg. Cannulation failed in 19 (7.8 %). The main indication in infants was suspicion of biliary atresia (n = 38). Six of the procedures (10.7 %) were therapeutic. In children the main indications were biliary stricture (n = 64) and investigation of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (n = 45). 119 (63.2 %) of these procedures were therapeutic.Complications were uncommon in infants; only two episodes of infection were registered. In children (> 1 year) post-ERCP pancreatitis were seen in 10.4 %. Conclusions Our retrospective series of ERCP procedures includes 56 procedures in infants, which is one of the largest series presented. Complications in infants are rare and post-ERCP pancreatitis was not seen. In older children 10.4 % experienced post-ERCP pancreatitis. In expert hands, ERCP was shown to be acceptably feasible and safe in infants and children.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasunari Yamashita ◽  
Rina Kitajima ◽  
Kiyoshi Matsubara ◽  
Gaku Inoue ◽  
Hajime Matsubara

Abstract Objective In 2018, we conducted a retrospective survey using the medical records of 484 patients with type 2 diabetes. The observed value of coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence after 5 years and the predicted value by the JJ risk engine as of 2013 were compared and verified using the discrimination and calibration values. Results Among the total cases analyzed, the C-statistic was 0.588, and the calibration was p < 0.05; thus, the JJ risk engine could not correctly predict the risk of CHD. However, in the group expected to have a low frequency of hypoglycemia, the C-statistic was 0.646; the predictability of the JJ risk engine was relatively accurate. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately predict the complication rate of patients using the JJ risk engine based on the diabetes treatment policy after the Kumamoto Declaration 2013. The JJ risk engine has several input items (variables), and it is difficult to satisfy them all unless the environment is well-equipped with testing facilities, such as a university hospital. Therefore, it is necessary to create a new risk engine that requires fewer input items than the JJ risk engine and is applicable to several patients.


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