Aspectos inmunológicos en preeclampsia / Immunologic Aspects in Preeclampsia

Resumen La preeclampsia es una patología con alta morbimortalidad a nivel mundial. En esta enfermedad la placenta es un órgano de choque donde la inflamación y la respuesta inmunológica generan el daño que se traduce en el cuadro clínico característico. La tríada clásica en preeclampsia está integrada por hipertensión, edema y proteinuria, por lo que se piensa que el endotelio debe estar afectado por la actividad inflamatoria-inmunológica. El sistema inmunológico actúa en el desarrollo del embarazo y lo hace a diferentes tiempos y regulando de manera fisiológica. Tanto componentes celulares como humorales de la respuesta innata y adquirida han sido estudiados en pacientes con preeclampsia y se ha determinado que su participación es decisiva en la fisiopatología de esta enfermedad. La participación del sistema inmunológico en la fisiopatología de la preeclampsia alcanza un alto nivel de complejidad pues interacciona con otros sistemas (coagulación, renal, cardiovascular y endocrinológico entre otros) favoreciendo así la enfermedad. Es por esto que el tratamiento debe ser integral, con una visión holística del padecimiento y que requiere de un equipo multidisciplinario, que actué armónicamente para así alcanzar el mayor éxito terapéutico con la menor frecuencia de secuelas para el binomio madre-feto o madre-recién nacido. En la gestación se desarrolla la denominada "tolerancia inmunológica del embarazo", en ese estado de tolerancia inmunológica las células B y T pueden reconocer antígenos específicos (por ejemplo, los paternos) y posteriormente activarse y generar la respuesta inmunológica, por lo que la preeclampsia podría ser considerada como una patología autoinmune, donde la perdida de la tolerancia inmunológica sería la piedra angular en la fisiopatología, conocer como limitar o regular esta activación celular anómala podría servir para proponer nuevos acercamientos terapéuticos y controlar así esta enfermedad.

Abstract Preeclampsia is a pathology with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this disease, the placenta is an organ of shock where inflammation and the immune response generate the damage that results in the characteristic clinical scenario. The classic triad in preeclampsia is made up of hypertension, edema, and proteinuria, so it is thought that the endothelium must be affected by inflammatory-immunological activity. The immune system acts in the development of pregnancy and does so at different times and regulating physiologically. Both, cellular and humoral components of the innate and acquired response have been studied in patients with preeclampsia and it has been determined that their participation is decisive in the pathophysiology of this disease. The involvement of the immune system in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia reaches a high level of complexity since it interacts with other systems (coagulation, renal, cardiovascular and endocrinological among others) thus favoring the disease. For this reason, treatment must be comprehensive, with a holistic vision of the condition and requires a multidisciplinary team that acts harmoniously to achieve the greatest therapeutic success with the least frequency of sequelae for the mother-fetus or mother-newborn dyads. During pregnancy, the so-called "immunological tolerance of pregnancy" develops, in this state of immunological tolerance the B and T cells can recognize specific antigens (for example, the paternal ones) and later activate and generate the immune response, which is why preeclampsia could being considered an autoimmune pathology, where the loss of immunological tolerance would be the cornerstone of pathophysiology, knowing how to limit or regulate this abnormal cell activation could help to propose new therapeutic approaches and thus control this disease.

Hemofilia adquirida A en embarazo. Caso clínico de medicina crítica en obstetricia por morbilidad extrema y su abordaje transdisciplinario perioperatorio / Acquired hemophilia A in pregnancy. Clinical case of critical medicine in obstetrics due to extreme morbidity and its perioperative transdisciplinary approach

Resumen: La identificación de múltiples factores de riesgo que predisponen a la hemorragia durante el evento obstétrico, como la hemofilia adquirida que es un trastorno que se desarrolla por la generación de autoanticuerpos inhibidores de factores de la coagulación, la interpretación objetiva de las pruebas de laboratorio rutinarias, el desarrollo de un pensamiento sistematizado en la integración diagnóstico-terapéutica por parte del personal de salud, y la disposición de los recursos farmacológicos hospitalarios, es lo que determina frecuentemente el pronóstico en pacientes obstétricas con morbilidad extrema que requieren atención multidisciplinaria en las diferentes unidades hospitalarias del sector salud de nuestro país. El objetivo es presentar un caso clínico de morbilidad extrema por hemofilia adquirida, su presentación clínica, evolución y desenlace fatal. Se presenta un caso referido de otra unidad del Sector Salud ISEM (Instituto de Salud del Estado de México), atendido en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Obstétricos del Hospital «Mónica Pretelini Sáenz¼, resaltando la importancia en la integración diagnóstico-terapéutica y la interacción multifactorial de variables relacionadas con su desenlace fatal. Conclusiones: Desconocimiento de la patología, retraso en el diagnóstico, múltiples procedimientos condicionantes de hemorragia iatrógena y la limitación en recursos terapéuticos son factores que contribuyen a un desenlace fatal.

Abstract: The identification of multiple risk factors that predispose to bleeding during the obstetric event, such as acquired hemophilia, which is a disorder that develops due to the generation of autoantibodies that inhibit coagulation factors, the objective interpretation of routine laboratory tests , the development of systematized thinking in diagnostic-therapeutic integration by health personnel, and the provision of hospital pharmacological resources, is what frequently determines the prognosis in obstetric patients with extreme morbidity who require multidisciplinary care in the different hospital units of the health sector of our country. The objective is to present a clinical case of extreme morbidity due to acquired hemophilia, its clinical presentation, evolution and fatal outcome. A case referred from another unit of the ISEM (Instituto de Salud del Estado de México) Health Sector, treated at the Obstetric Intensive Care Unit of the «Mónica Pretelini Sáenz¼ Hospital, is presented, highlighting the importance of diagnostic-therapeutic integration, and the multifactorial interaction of variables related to its fatal outcome. Conclusions: Ignorance of the pathology, delay in diagnosis, multiple conditioning procedures of iatrogenic hemorrhage and the limitation in therapeutic resources are factors that contribute to a fatal outcome.

Morbilidad extrema (near-miss) en obstetricia. Revisión de la literatura / Severe morbidity (near-miss) in obstetrics. Literature review

Resumen: Objetivo: Presentar la evidencia científica más reciente referente a la definición, diagnóstico y consecuencias de morbilidad extrema en obstetricia (MEO). Metodología de búsqueda: Búsqueda en PubMed, The Cochrane Library, OVID, Science Direct, Google Académico, Artemisa, LILACS e Imbiomed de artículos publicados en inglés y español entre los años 2005 a 2018 con las siguientes palabras clave: severe maternal morbidity, near miss morbidity, severe acute maternal morbidity, obstetric near miss and maternal near miss. Se excluyeron estudios cualitativos. Resultados: La MEO (o near miss) se refiere a cualquier complicación aguda que puede presentarse en el embarazo, labor o hasta seis semanas después de haber concluido el embarazo, estas complicaciones ponen en riesgo la vida de la madre, pero no resulta en su muerte. Los indicadores de MEO fueron desarrollados con base a la incidencia y presencia de trastornos hemorrágicos, hipertensivos y otras alteraciones sistémicas y condiciones maternas graves que pueden tener un impacto en la salud de la madre. En la actualidad, se sugiere que el estudio de los indicadores de MEO son de más utilidad que los de muerte materna. Conclusiones: El ejercicio de la práctica médica con base en la mejor evidencia científica, el estudio y la mejora de la calidad de la práctica clínica, de la planificación familiar, la asesoría prenatal y los programas hospitalarios son estrategias que permitirán ayudar a disminuir los casos de MEO.

Abstract. Objective: To provide the most recent scientific evidence about definitions, diagnosis and consequences of severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Research methodology: We searched databases in PubMed, The Cochrane Library, OVID, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Artemisa, LILACS and Imbiomed from 2005 to 2018 with the following keywords: severe maternal morbidity, near miss morbidity, severe acute maternal morbidity, obstetric near miss and maternal near miss. The search was restricted to articles written in the English and Spanish language and published from 2005 to 2018. Qualitative studies were excluded. Results: SMM or maternal near miss event refers to any acute obstetric complication that immediately threatens a woman's survival but does not result in her death either by chance or because of hospital care she receives during pregnancy, labor or within six weeks of termination of pregnancy. The indicators for SMM were developed and based on the incidence and presence of hemorrhagic disorders, hypertensive disorders, other systemic disorders and severe maternal conditions which could have an impact on maternal health. Nowadays it is suggested that the study of indicators for SMM is a more useful indicator of obstetric care than mortality. Conclusions: Use of best evidence-based practices, studying and improving the effectiveness and quality of clinical practice, family planning, prenatal check-up, and hospital obstetric care programs are strategies that could help to reduce cases of SMM.

Uric Acid in Pregnancy: New Concepts.

The relationship between hyperuricemia and hypertensive disorders is well established; however, until today, the role of uric acid in the clinical course of severe preeclampsia has not been elucidated. Some recent studies suggest that at the time of presentation, subjects with severe preeclampsia frequently have significantly elevated serum uric acid levels, and that the degree of elevation correlates with the severity of the maternal syndrome and fetal morbimortality. In this chapter, we present our workgroup experience. In 2016, we designed a prospective, cross-sectional comparative study. A sample of 200 patients - 100 with severe preeclampsia and 100 with normotensive pregnancy - was obtained. Plasmatic uric acid levels were recorded in units of mg/dL as clinical variables and as laboratory and fetal growth data. We considered uric acid equal to or more than 6.0 mg/dL as the elevated level. To relate the significance of elevated uric acid levels with variables, chi-square tests and Mann-Whitney U test were applied. Any p value equal or <0.05 was accepted as significant. We found significant difference (p = 0.05) between serum uric acid levels among both groups. In comparison with the healthy patients, patients with severe preeclampsia and uric acid greater than 6 mg/dl presented significant differences in relation to fetal complications and maternal laboratory and clinical variables. Our conclusion is that values equal to or greater than 6 mg/dL of serum uric acid in patients with severe preeclampsia may be a valuable biomarker for preeclampsia and an association with the presence of adverse fetal and maternal effects.

Monitoreo hemodinámico no invasivo y mínimamente invasivo en la paciente obstétrica grave / Non-invasive and minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring in the severe obstetric patient / Monitorização hemodinâmica não-invasiva e minimamente invasiva na paciente obstétrica grave

Resumen: El embarazo es un estado que impone un verdadero desafío para el sistema cardiovascular materno. Las pacientes obstétricas que se complican con pre­eclampsia, enfermedad cardiaca, sepsis, hemorragia y tromboembolia pulmonar, se caracterizan por profundas alteraciones hemodinámicas, las cuales representan las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad materna extrema, por lo que existe la necesidad de una correcta evaluación y monitoreo validado de estos parámetros en este tipo de pacientes. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir la tecnología disponible a la cabecera del enfermo para la implementación de este monitoreo hemodinámico en la paciente embarazada de alto riesgo.

Abstract: Pregnancy is a state, which poses a real challenge to the maternal cardiovascular system. Obstetric patients who are complicated by preeclampsia, heart disease, sepsis, hemorrhage and pulmonary thromboembolism are characterized by profound hemodynamic alterations, which represent the main causes of morbidity and extreme maternal mortality, so there is a need for a correct evaluation and monitoring of these parameters, which is validated in this type of patients. The objective of this review is to describe the technology available at the patient's bedside for the performance of this hemodynamic monitoring in the high-risk pregnant patient.

Resumo: A gravidez é um estado que representa um verdadeiro desafio para o sistema cardiovascular materno. A paciente obstétrica que apresenta complicações como pré-eclâmpsia, doenças cardíacas, sepse, hemorragia e tromboembolismo pulmonar, se caracterizam por profundas alterações hemodinâmicas que representam as principais causas de morbimortalidade materna extrema, por isso é necessária uma avaliação correta e a monitorização desses parâmetros, que esteja validado nesse tipo de pacientes. O objetivo desta revisão é descrever a tecnologia disponível à beira do leito para a realização da monitorização hemodinâmica na paciente obstétrica de alto risco.

[DRESS syndrome. A clinical case report]. / Síndrome de DRESS. Reporte de un caso clínico.

BACKGROUND: DRESS syndrome (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) or reaction to drugs with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms is a serious drug reaction associated with the use of aromatic anticonvulsants and allopurinol. At least 44 drugs have been associated with DRESS. The aim was to present the case of a patient with DRESS syndrome associated with phenytoin. CLINICAL CASE: a 20 year old woman, with a history of seizures since childhood, presented generalised tonic-clonic seizures for the last three months. Therefore, she began treatment with 100 mg of phenytoin, administered orally, every 8 hours. Three weeks later, she developed fever up to 42 degrees, papules in the hands extending to trunk and extremities, generalized rubicund, pruritus, pain while urinating, adding hyperoxia, dysphagia and dry cough. Consequently, she went to the emergency room. DISCUSSION: the diagnosis is clinical and it is set according to the criteria of the scale of RegiSCAR. As the initial manifestations are unspecific, the diagnosis and treatment could be delayed. The importance of recognizing this syndrome is an early treatment to get better prognostics. The mortality is up to 10 %.

Introducción: el síndrome de DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) o la reacción a fármacos con eosinofilia y síntomas sistémicos es una reacción medicamentosa grave, asociada al uso de anticonvulsivos aromáticos y alopurinol. Se han descrito por lo menos 44 fármacos asociados a DRESS. El propósito es presentar el caso clínico de una paciente con síndrome de DRESS asociado a fenitoína. Caso clínico: paciente femenina de 20 años, con antecedente de crisis convulsivas desde la infancia, durante tres meses previos presentó crisis convulsivas tónico-clónicas generalizadas, por lo que inició tratamiento con fenitoína: 100 mg vía oral cada 8 horas. Tres semanas después presentó fiebre de hasta 42 grados, pápulas en manos con extensión a tronco y extremidades, rubicundez generalizada, prurito, dolor al orinar, además de hiporexia, disfagia y tos seca, por lo que acudió al servicio de urgencias. Discusión: el diagnóstico es clínico y se establece según los criterios de la escala de RegiSCAR. Debido a que las manifestaciones iniciales son poco específicas, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento definitivo pueden retrasarse. La importancia del reconocimiento y tratamiento temprano de esta entidad radica en la incidencia de mortalidad de hasta 10 %.

[Thrombotic microangiopathy and intravascular hemolysis in pregnancy-induced hypertension. The lie of HELLP syndrome]. / Microangiopatía trombótica y hemólisis intravascular en hipertensión por embarazo. La mentira del síndrome de HELLP.

We reviewed the literature regarding pregnancy-induced hypertension and its relation with thrombotic microangiopathy and intravascular hemolysis (TMIH). In the present work we described the background, frequency, mortality, clinical picture, classification, diagnosis, complications and treatment. In addition, we analyzed Weinstein's report of 1982, and we concluded that the reported data of the HELLP syndrome is not conclusive because the presence of TMIH is not demonstrable in his group of patients. Also, we retrospectively reviewed the medical charts from three Intensive Care Units from two specialized gyneco-obstetrics hospitals and from one General Hospital. From all the patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension and who developed TMIH confirmed clinically and by laboratory findings, we described the incidence of acute renal failure and the mortality in this group of patients.

[Peritoneal dialysis in obstetric patients]. / Diálisis peritoneal en pacientes obstétricas.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of acute renal failure (ARF) in obstetric patients in our country is estimated to be between 3 and 42.8%. The most important causes are preeclampsia, especially when associated with thrombotic microangiopathy and hemolysis and less frequently to hemorrhagic shock. Early peritoneal dialysis (EPD) is the temporary treatment. For these patients, 100 % recovery in renal function was observed. When ARF is associated with multiple organ failure (MOF), the reported mortality ranges between 0 and 20 %. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical features and medical outcomes of patients treated with early peritoneal dialysis in pregnancy complicated by ARF. METHODS: A case series was conducted at the Research Unit of the Instituto Materno Infantil del Estado de México. We reviewed the cases of patients admitted to the ICU matching the criteria for ARF. They were divided into two groups: those who received EPD vs. those who did not require EPD. The most important national series were included describing the association with preeclampsia and thrombotic microangiopathy with hemolysis. RESULTS: In a 5-year period, 1272 patients were admitted to the ICU; in 38 patients ARF was documented requiring peritoneal dialysis. In nine cases ARF was associated with thrombotic microangiopathy with hemolysis, two cases of stillbirth, and one case of mortality with MOF. A 100% recovery in renal function was observed in all cases, using 1.5% solution with an average of 34 dialysis treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The early use of peritoneal dialysis in obstetric patients with ARF has a good prognosis.

[Intracellular calcium-dependent contractile effects of serotonin in the human umbilical artery]. / Efectos contráctiles dependientes del calcio intracelular inducidos por la serotonina en la arteria umbilical humana.

BACKGROUND: Absence of innervation is a hallmark of human umbilical vessels. Intervillous space blood flow is regulated by vasoactive substances and calcium dependent contractility, both in normal and pathological conditions such as preeclampsia-eclampsia. OBJECTIVE: To obtain additional information on the intracellular calcium contractile effects of serotonin in human umbilical arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Umbilical arteries from normal pregnancies were dissected, cut in 5 mm rings and mounted in a temperature-controlled isolated organ chamber, using calcium-free Krebs solution. The contractile effects of serotonin, lantane, verapamil and cyclopiazonic acid were evaluated at different concentrations using a computer coupled biopac polygraph. RESULTS: No differences in response were observed in the presence and absence of intracellular calcium. The positive contractile effects observed with serotonin were significantly decreased with repeated stimulation. An increase in the basal tone of the vessel was observed after calcium supplementation was added to the solution. This effect was minimized in the presence of verapamil and lantane. The contractile effects of serotonin in the calcium-free solution were not affected by the presence of cyclopiazonic acid. CONCLUSIONS: Serotonin contractile effects in the human umbilical artery depend mainly on intracellular calcium levels which favor the gradual entrance of this ion over time. Calcium influx induced by serotonin is possible through L and Non-L channels apparently insensitive to ciclopiozonic acid.

Efectos contráctiles dependientes del calcio intracelular inducidos por la serotonina en la arteria umbilical humana / Intracellular calcium-dependent contractile effects of serotonin in the human umbilical artery

Antecedentes: Los vasos umbilicales humanos se caracterizan por la ausencia de inervación y por consecuencia, las diferentes sustancias vasoactivas y la respuesta contráctil a través de los iones de calcio son los factores que determinan el flujo sanguíneo al espacio intervelloso en condiciones normales y patológicas, como es el caso de la preeclampsia eclampsia. Objetivo: Aportar información adicional de la respuesta contráctil de la serotonina en relación al calcio intracelular en la arteria umbilical humana. Material y métodos: Se utilizaron vasos umbilicales procedentes de mujeres con embarazo normoevolutivo, los cuales una vez disecados se cortaron en anillos de 5 mm y se montaron en cámara de órgano aislado, utilizando solución de Krebs con y sin calcio, burbujeada con carbógeno y la temperatura controlada. Se evaluó el efecto contráctil inducido por serotonina a diferentes concentraciones molares y se contrastó con verapamil, lantano y ácido ciclopiazónico, cuantificando la respuesta contráctil mediante un polígrafo biopac acoplado a un sistema computacional. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias significativas en la magnitud de la respuesta obtenida en presencia y ausencia de calcio extracelular. Se apreció el efecto contráctil a la serotonina que disminuyó significati vamente como respuesta a la estimulación repetida a la misma; así mismo, se incrementó el tono basal posterior a la adición del calcio al medio de incubación, lo que dependió del tiempo de exposición. También se observó la inhibición parcial del incremento en el tono basal con vera pamil y lantano. Finalmente, el pretratamiento con ácido ciclopiazónico no modificó la respuesta contráctil a la serotonina en un medio sin calcio. Conclusiones: La contracción inducida por serotonina en la arteria umbilical humana, depende principalmente de calcio intracelular y favorece el ingreso capacitativo de este ion, el cual se incrementa gradualmente a través del tiempo. El ingreso capacitativo del calcio secundario al vaciamiento de los depósitos intracelulares de este ion con serotonina se efectúa a través de canales tipo L y no-L, y no parecen ser sensibles al ácido ciclopiazónico.

Background: Absence of innervation is a hallmark of human umbilical vessels. Intervillous space blood flow is regulated by vasoactive substances and calcium dependent contractility, both in normal and pathological conditions such as preeclampsia eclampsia. Objective: To obtain additional information on the intracellular calcium contractile effects of serotonin in human umbilical arteries. Materials and Methods: Umbilical arteries from normal pregnancies were dissected, cut in 5 mm rings and mounted in a temperature controlled isolated organ chamber, using calciumfree Krebs solution. The contractile effects of serotonin, lantane, verapamil and cyclopiazonic acid were evaluated at different concentrations using a computer coupled biopac polygraph. Results: No differences in response were observed in the presence and absence of intracellular calcium. The positive contractile effects observed with serotonin were significantly decreased with repeated stimulation. An increase in the basal tone of the vessel was observed after calcium supplementation was added to the solution. This effect was minimized in the presence of verapamil and lantane. The contractile effects of serotonin in the calcium free solution were not affected by the presence of cyclopiazonic acid. Conclusions: Serotonin contractile effects in the human umbilical artery depend mainly on intracellular calcium levels which favor the gradual entrance of this ion over time. Calcium influx induced by serotonin is possible through L and Non-L channels apparently insensitive to cyclopiozonic acid.

[TOLUCA experience in preeclampsia-eclampsia]. / Experiencia TOLUCA en preeclampsia-eclampsia.

INTRODUCTION: Reducing morbidity and mortality due to preeclampsia-eclampsia represents a challenge in health care. Since 1997, in the city of Toluca, Estado de México, a research unit was implemented along with a national expert committee for the study of preeclampsia-eclampsia. This was followed by the development of an educational program and the establishment of a diagnosis and treatment protocol TOLUCA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the mortality registered in the obstetric ICU of our institute, before and after the implementation of the TOLUCA protocol and including a review of the impact of human resources obtained from our educational program, clinical research and the establishment of a research unit. RESULTS: During a period of 12 years, 1723 patients were treated, with 102 (5.9%) maternal deaths. Preeclampsia-eclampsia accounted for 49 (48%), obstetric hemorrhage 29 (28%), sepsis 9 (9%) and miscellaneous 15 (15%) of all deaths. Data were chronologically divided from 1992 to 1996 (group A) and from 1997 to 2003 (group B), before and after the implementation of the TOLUCA protocol. Group A included 289 admissions with 39 deceased representing a relative mortality of 13.4% (1 death per 7 admissions). Group B included 1434 admissions with 63 deaths, representing a relative mortality of 4.3% (1/23 admissions). Twenty obstetrician/gynecologists were graduates in clinical medicine, 25 research papers were published, four books on preeclampsia were published including preeclampsia, critical medicine, arterial hypertension and renal failure, six book chapters, and the physical implementation of a research unit with laboratory, physician's office and surgical facility. CONCLUSIONS: Results obtained using the TOLUCA protocol allow us to propose it as a prototype for application in obstetric-gynecology hospitals in order to improve medical care by establishing a high-level of care with on-going research.

[IgM antiphospholipical antibodies in preeclampsia-eclampsia]. / Anticuerpo antifosfolípido IgM en preeclampsia-eclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with thrombocytopenia and fetal loss, and have been reported elevated in patients with preeclampsia-eclampsia. Site: Preeclampsia-Eclampsia Research Unit, Instituto Materno Infantil del Estado de Mexico, Toluca, Mexico and the Specialty Hospital Research Unit, La Raza Medical Center, Mexico City, Mexico. OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG-IgM) as markers of acute endothelial damage in patients with preeclampsia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized case control study composed of two groups: Group A (cases), 18 patients with preeclampsia-eclampsia and group B (control), 18 normal pregnancies. Antiphospholipid (anticardiolipin) antibodies were determined in both groups in addition to with coagulation tests and clinical variables in mother and newborn in day of admission and nine weeks after obstetrical resolution. We excluded patients with anticoagulant or dialysis therapy, taking NSAIDs or who recently required transfusion or plasmaferesis. RESULTS: There were significant differences in levels of IgM and in weights and mortality among newborns between the two groups. In terms of maternal complications, we found HELLP syndrome as leading cause. We also observed in the case group significant differences in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and IgM levels between admission day and nine weeks later. Our results lead us to the conclusion that there must be exist immunologic mechanism that induces synthesis of anticardiolipin antibodies (IgM isotype) during acute state of the disease, accounting for vascular changes and prothrombotic state responsible for maternal and neonatal complications.

Medición de la fuga capilar en la preeclampsia-eclampsia / Measurement of capillary fuge in pre-eclampsia-eclampsia

Introducción: se proponen dos parámetros para estimar la fuga capilar que se presenta en pacientes con preeclampsia grave y eclampsia, cuando se alteran las fuerzas de Starling.Objetivo: reportar los valores de la PCOc y el IB en mujeres con preeclampsia grave y eclampsia, asimismo compararlo con embarazo normal.Pacientes y método: se estudiaron prospectivamente los valores de la PCOc y el IB en 87 pacientes con preeclampsia grave y eclampsia (grupo A); comparandolo con 50 pacientes con embarazo normal (grupo B). La PCOc se calculó de acuerdo con la fórmula de Landis-Pappenheimer y el IB se obtuvo de dividir el resultado entre la PCOc y la PAM.Resultados: la PCOc fue de 15.3 ñ 4.5; el IB de 0.11 ñ 0.03 en el grupo A, 24.0 ñ 4.4 y 0.27 ñ 0.03 en el grupo B, (p < 0.005 y p = 0.300 respectivamente).Conclusiones: la PCOc y el IB disminuyen significativamente en la preeclampsia-eclampsia y se propone su utilización como índices cuantitativos de fuga capilar.

Frotis de sangre periférica y alteración orgánica en la preeclampsia-eclampsia / Peripheral blood frotis and organic alteration in preeclampsia-eclampsia

Introducción: la preeclampsia-eclampsia tiene un sustrato fisiopatológico común que es la lesión del endotelio vascular, condicionante del desarrollo de microangiopatía trombótica-hemolítica, que propicia la alteración de órganos blanco, el frotis de sangre periférica es un estudio sencillo que apoya el diagnóstico y pronóstico de esta entidad. Objetivo: hacer una correlación clínico-patológico entre pacientes con preeclampsia-eclampsia, los hallazgos morfológicos del frotis de sangre periférica y el desarrollo de alteración orgánica. Material y pacientes: se diseñó un estudio piloto prospectivo, transversal y comparativo de pacientes que ingresaron a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital con diagnóstico de preeclampsia-eclampsia durante un periodo comprendido de junio de 1999 a febrero del 2000, y fueron manejadas de acuerdo con el protocolo del propio hospital que incluyó la realización de un frotis de sangre periférica a su ingreso. El método consistió en hacer una revisión de los expedientes consignando las disfunciones documentadas de acuerdo con el criterio internacional y dividimos la población en dos grupos: grupo A = pacientes con frotis negativo y grupo B = pacientes con fro-tis positivo, se calculó razón de momios y se comparó cada grupo en cuanto a las principales variables valoradas mediante la prueba paramétrica t de Student y los resultados los expresamos en media, desviación estándar y porcentajes. Resultados: incluimos 77 pacientes: nueve (12 por ciento) con frotis negativo identificando una alteración orgánica (grupo A), 78 pacientes (88 por ciento) con frotis positivo documentando 56 disfunciones orgánicas (grupo B). La razón de momios de 34, destacando diferencias significativas en variables hematológicas y renales principalmente. Se concluye que de acuerdo con la medida de riesgo calculada, se estima que la probabilidad de que una paciente con preeclampsia-eclampsia desarrolle alteración orgánica, es 34 veces mayor cuando se asocia a un frotis de sangre periférica positivo, por lo que proponemos que esta prueba se realice a todas las pacientes con esta patología como una prueba predictiva de alteración orgánica que además resulta ser barata y fácil de hacer.

Preeclampsia-eclampsia: un problema médico diferido / Preeclampsia-eclampsia: a deferred medical problem

La hipertensión arterial asociada a embarazo es un problema de Salud Pública en México por su alto índice de morbilidad y mortalidad tanto para la madre como para el feto. La investigación sobre este problema se ha mantenido diferida por limitaciones en información clínica y epidemiológica, desconocimiento de su etiología así como por su fácil resolución al interrumpirse el embarazo. Se revisan aquí aportaciones hechas al área en nuestro país y conceptos de control y tratamiento