The prognostic value of neutrophile/lymphocyte ratio and serum chemerin to predict maternal-fetal complications in pregnant systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy in SLE continues to be a challenge. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and chemerin are predictors of preeclampsia in the general population; however, their role as predictors of maternal-fetal complications in pregnant SLE patients has not been analyzed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of NLR and serum chemerin, to predict maternal-fetal complications in pregnant SLE patients, and compare both biomarkers among three study groups. METHODS: Design: Analytical cross-sectional study of cases and controls with the following study groups: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), preeclampsia, and healthy. NLR and chemerin serum were determined between 20 and 25 weeks of gestation. Patients were evaluated every 4-6 weeks until pregnancy resolution. Maternal and fetal outcomes were registered. We employed Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves to validate prognostic values. RESULTS: Seventy pregnant patients were included: 20 with SLE, 20 with preeclampsia, and 30 healthy pregnant women; NLR values were 4 (2.3-5.6) in SLE, 6 (4.6-9.2) in preeclampsia, and 2.8 (2.1-2.9) in the group of healthy women (p = .0001). Chemerin levels were: 26 (15.3-56.2) in SLE, 96 (37.3-146.2) in preeclampsia, and 24.6 ng/mL (15.3-47.4) in the healthy group (p = .007) Maternal complications were observed in 11 (55%), 20 (100%), and 8 (26%) per group, respectively. Thrombocytopenia was the most frequent complication in all pregnant women, followed by hypertensive disorders. Fetal complications were registered in 12 (60%), 16 (80%), and 2 (6.7%), respectively. Congenital malformations and prematurity were the most frequent fetal complications. NLR had good diagnostic accuracy in predicting maternal-fetal complications (AUROC 0.715) p = .015, CI 95% 0.56-0.86, cut-off point level: 2.9, sensitivity 61%, specificity 78%, positive predictive value (PPV) 65%, negative predictive value (NPV) 75%. Regarding chemerin, a cut-off point level >43 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 72% AUROC 0.75, p = .001, CI 95% 0.61-0.89, PPV 51.7% NPV 87.8%, meaning that 51.7% of patients with chemerin levels >43 ng/mL have or will have preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: The NLR may help predict maternal-fetal complications in SLE pregnancy, constituting a marker of subclinical inflammation. Chemerin levels may be associated with preeclampsia. These biomarkers could improve the care of SLE patients with timely intervention of potential complications during pregnancy.

Cardiac and obstetric outcomes in pregnant patients with heart disease: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac diseases complicate 4% of pregnancies, with a mortality rate between 0 and 15%. Early referral has shown to reduce the risk of maternal major cardiac events (MACEs). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of pregnant women with heart disease from two referral centers in Mexico City. We examined MACEs: maternal death, pulmonary edema, acute heart failure, endocarditis, stroke, myocardial infarction, acute aortic syndromes, arrhythmias requiring urgent treatment, and the need for an urgent intervention; preterm birth and obstetric events such as HELLP syndrome, preeclampsia, eclampsia, placental abruption, obstetric hemorrhage. We analyzed the association between each modified World Health Organization (mWHO) group and MACEs, preterm birth and obstetric outcomes between March 2014 and March 2019. RESULTS: Using the mWHO classification, 399 deliveries were included and stratified as follows: I, 162; II, 133; II-III, 21; III, 18; and IV, 52 patients. MACEs were observed in 12.5% of the cohort and were associated with mWHO II (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.1-8.1; p = 0.027), II-III (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 0.9-1.0; p = 0.116), III (OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.2-23; p = 0.026), and IV (OR, 8.2; 95% CI, 2.7-24.5; p < 0.001) after adjusting for age, desaturation, previous functional class, and gestational age at referral. An association between mWHO and frequency of preterm birth was observed. Association between mWHO and obstetric events, even when adjusted, was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MACEs and preterm birth is similar to that seen worldwide; MACEs and preterm birth are associated with the severity of heart disease stratified by mWHO, but there is no association between the severity of heart disease and obstetric events.

Pulmonary involvement in patients with juvenile systemic sclerosis / Afección pulmonar en pacientes con esclerosis sistémica juvenil

Abstract Background: Pulmonary involvement in juvenile systemic sclerosis (JSSc) is rare in children and contributes to morbimortality. This study aimed to describe the pulmonary function and clinical, radiologic, and tomographic findings in JSSc. Methods: Patients with JSSc between 5-14 years of age were included. Clinical, functional, and imaging characteristics were assessed. Patients were excluded if they showed lung disease not associated with JSSc: mixed connective tissue disease, overlap syndrome, or acute cardiopulmonary failure at the time of the study. All patients underwent physical examination, electrocardiogram, spirometry, chest X-ray, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest, echocardiography, lung function tests, and the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT). Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. Results: We studied 15 patients with the following characteristics: median age, 11 years; median since symptoms onset, 6 years; median since JSSc diagnosis and the finding of pulmonary involvement, 2 years. Lung disease was detected in 73%, interstitial lung disease (ILD) the most common affection (67%); pulmonary hypertension was found in 6.6%. 6-MWT was positive in 26.6%, forced vital capacity (FVC) was abnormal in 26.6%. No pulmonary involvement was found in four patients. Conclusions: The most frequent pulmonary affection in JSSc was ILD. Thus, early JSSc detection and periodic lung monitoring are mandatory to avoid further complications once JSSc is diagnosed.

Resumen Introducción: La afección pulmonar en la esclerosis sistémica juvenil (ESJ) es rara en niños y contribuye a la morbimortalidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los hallazgos de función pulmonar, clínicos, radiológicos y tomográficos en la ESJ. Métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes con ESJ de 5-14 años de edad. Se evaluaron las características clínicas, funcionales y de imagen. No se incluyeron pacientes con enfermedades pulmonares no asociadas con ESJ en el momento del estudio: enfermedad mixta del tejido conectivo, síndrome de superposición o insuficiencia cardiopulmonar aguda. Se realizaron exploración física, electrocardiograma, espirometría, radiografía de tórax, tomografía computarizada de alta resolución de tórax, ecocardiografía, pruebas de función pulmonar y prueba de caminata de 6 minutos (PC6M). Se utilizó estadística descriptiva para el análisis de los datos. Resultados: Se estudiaron 15 pacientes con las siguientes características: mediana de edad, 11 años; mediana desde el inicio de los síntomas, 6 años; y mediana desde el diagnóstico de ESJ y hallazgo de afección pulmonar, 2 años. Se detectó enfermedad pulmonar en el 73%. La enfermedad pulmonar intersticial (EPI) fue la afección más común (67%) y se encontró hipertensión pulmonar en el 6.6%. La PC6M fue positiva en el 26.6%, y la capacidad vital forzada resultó anormal en el 26.6%. Cuatro pacientes no presentaron afección pulmonar. Conclusiones: La afección pulmonar más frecuente en la ESJ fue la EPI. La detección temprana de ESJ y la monitorización pulmonar periódica son obligatorias para evitar más complicaciones una vez diagnosticada la ESJ.

Pulmonary involvement in patients with juvenile systemic sclerosis.

Background: Pulmonary involvement in juvenile systemic sclerosis (JSSc) is rare in children and contributes to morbimortality. This study aimed to describe the pulmonary function and clinical, radiologic, and tomographic findings in JSSc. Methods: Patients with JSSc between 5-14 years of age were included. Clinical, functional, and imaging characteristics were assessed. Patients were excluded if they showed lung disease not associated with JSSc: mixed connective tissue disease, overlap syndrome, or acute cardiopulmonary failure at the time of the study. All patients underwent physical examination, electrocardiogram, spirometry, chest X-ray, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest, echocardiography, lung function tests, and the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT). Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. Results: We studied 15 patients with the following characteristics: median age, 11 years; median since symptoms onset, 6 years; median since JSSc diagnosis and the finding of pulmonary involvement, 2 years. Lung disease was detected in 73%, interstitial lung disease (ILD) the most common affection (67%); pulmonary hypertension was found in 6.6%. 6-MWT was positive in 26.6%, forced vital capacity (FVC) was abnormal in 26.6%. No pulmonary involvement was found in four patients. Conclusions: The most frequent pulmonary affection in JSSc was ILD. Thus, early JSSc detection and periodic lung monitoring are mandatory to avoid further complications once JSSc is diagnosed.

Introducción: La afección pulmonar en la esclerosis sistémica juvenil (ESJ) es rara en niños y contribuye a la morbimortalidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los hallazgos de función pulmonar, clínicos, radiológicos y tomográficos en la ESJ. Métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes con ESJ de 5-14 años de edad. Se evaluaron las características clínicas, funcionales y de imagen. No se incluyeron pacientes con enfermedades pulmonares no asociadas con ESJ en el momento del estudio: enfermedad mixta del tejido conectivo, síndrome de superposición o insuficiencia cardiopulmonar aguda. Se realizaron exploración física, electrocardiograma, espirometría, radiografía de tórax, tomografía computarizada de alta resolución de tórax, ecocardiografía, pruebas de función pulmonar y prueba de caminata de 6 minutos (PC6M). Se utilizó estadística descriptiva para el análisis de los datos. Resultados: Se estudiaron 15 pacientes con las siguientes características: mediana de edad, 11 años; mediana desde el inicio de los síntomas, 6 años; y mediana desde el diagnóstico de ESJ y hallazgo de afección pulmonar, 2 años. Se detectó enfermedad pulmonar en el 73%. La enfermedad pulmonar intersticial (EPI) fue la afección más común (67%) y se encontró hipertensión pulmonar en el 6.6%. La PC6M fue positiva en el 26.6%, y la capacidad vital forzada resultó anormal en el 26.6%. Cuatro pacientes no presentaron afección pulmonar. Conclusiones: La afección pulmonar más frecuente en la ESJ fue la EPI. La detección temprana de ESJ y la monitorización pulmonar periódica son obligatorias para evitar más complicaciones una vez diagnosticada la ESJ.

Early Detection of Vascular Obstruction in Microvascular Flaps Using a Thermographic Camera.

BACKGROUND: In microsurgical reconstruction, vascular obstruction occurs in approximately 20% of patients. Close monitoring is central to their care. Clinical/Doppler detection of vascular obstruction could be enhanced by thermography. METHODS: A diagnostic test design included consecutive cases of hospitalized patients, ≥18 years old, who underwent surgery with free flaps. Two researchers separately evaluated patients with clinical/Doppler methods and thermographic camera hourly for 24 hours, every 2 hours for the next 24 hours, and then every 3 hours until discharge. The gold standard was visualization of thrombus or vascular obstruction during surgical reintervention. Sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive value (PPV/NPV), and a delta temperature receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 2,364 tests were performed with a thermographic camera in 40 patients (31 females, 9 males) aged 50.12 ± 9.7 years. There were 28 deep inferior epigastric perforator, 5 anterolateral thigh, 3 radial, 2 scapular, 1 fibular, and 1 anteromedial thigh flaps included. Six (15%) had postoperative vascular obstruction (5 venous and 1 arterial). One flap developed partial necrosis and one total necrosis (overall survival 97.5%). ROC curve (area 0.97) showed the best results at ≥ 1.8°C of difference to the surrounding skin. Considering two consecutive positive evaluations, the sensitivity was 93%, specificity 96%, PPV 57%, and NPV 99%. The thermal imaging camera allows to identify the obstruction between 2 and 12 hours before the clinical method. CONCLUSION: Utilizing a thermographic camera can reduce detection time of vascular obstruction by several hours in microvascular free flaps that include the cutaneous island. This method proves useful for early diagnosis of postoperative vascular obstruction.

Expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, cytokines and vascular mediators in the skin of systemic sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: The activated NLRP3 inflammasome is associated with the etiology of fibrotic diseases. The role of inflammasomes in SSc is still poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To determine the expression of NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-repeat-containing family, pyrin domain-containing 3) in the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its relationship with pro-inflammatory cytokines and vascular mediators expression. METHODS: Skin biopsies were taken from 42 patients with either limited or diffuse SSc (21 lcSSc and 21 dcSSc), and from 13 healthy individuals. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the relative expression of caspase-1, IL-1ß, IL-18, IL-33, TGF-ß, ET-1, iNOS and eNOS genes, were measured. The location of NLRP3 and IL-1ß were also determined by immunohistochemistry. Clinical characteristics were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 49.3 ± 12.9 (lcSSc), 44.6 ± 1 3.8 (dcSSc), and 45 ± 14.1 (healthy individuals). Compared to healthy individuals, the skin of both subtypes of SSc showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1ß, IL-18 and ET-1. Samples of lcSSc also showed a significant increase of eNOS (P < 0.029), iNOS (P < 0.04) and TGF-ß (P < 0.05). Dermal fibrosis evaluated by modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) had significant correlation with NLRP3, IL-1ß, IL-18, and ET-1. Immunohistochemical analysis showed stronger staining of NLRP3 and IL-1ß cytoplasmic expression in the keratinizing squamous epithelium of skin from SSc patients compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified NLRP3 over-expression in skin of patients with SSc. Skin thickness correlates positively with the NLRP3 inflammasome gene expression and with the vascular mediator and pro-fibrotic ET-1, suggesting that NLRP3 inflammasome plays a role in the pathophysiology of skin fibrosis in human SSc.

Antioxidants decrease reperfusion induced arrhythmias in myocardial infarction with ST-elevation.

In myocardial infarctions with ST-segment elevation, ischemia followed by reperfusion (IR) leads to arrhythmia, myocardial stunning and endothelial dysfunction injury by reactive oxygen species (ROS). To determine the impact of ROS, we examined the effect of antioxidant vitamins on biochemical changes and arrhythmias induced by reperfusion before and after therapeutic thrombolysis (Actilyse). As compared with those receiving placebo, in individuals who received antioxidants, there was a significant decrease in premature ventricular beats (100% vs 38%), atrial fibrillation (44% vs 6%), ventricular tachycardia (31% vs 0%), first-degree atrial-ventricular block (44% vs 6%), plasma malondialdehyde at the first hour after initiation of thrombolysis (1.07 +/- 0.10 vs 0.53 +/- 0.10 nmols plasma malondialdehyde/mg protein) and circulating neutrophils after 24 hr after reperfusion. The antioxidant capacity of plasma was increased from 1.89 +/- 0.15 to 3.00 +/- 0.31 units/mg protein and paraoxonase-1 rose from 0.77 +/- 0.08 to 1.27 +/- 0.11 nmol/min/mg protein. These findings suggest that antioxidants might be useful as adjuvants in controlling reperfusion induced arrhythmias following therapeutic alteplase thrombolysis.