Acute coronary syndrome in pregnant women

The purpose of this article is to review the available information on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of acute coronary syndromes (ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]) during all stages of pregnancy. We searched the English-language literature indexed in MEDLINE, Scopus and EBSCO host research databases from 1980 through to August 2010 using the indexing terms ‘pregnancy’, ‘ante-,peri-, and postpartum’, ‘acute coronary syndrome’, ‘myocardial infarction’, ‘STEMI’ and ‘NSTEMI’. Symptomatic coronary artery disease is still infrequent in women of childbearing age, but the recent increase in its prevalence in pregnancy has been attributed to the modern trend of childbearing in older years because many young working women are postponing having children. Although rare, acute pregnancy-related MI is a devastating event that may claim the life of a mother and her fetus. The incidence of MI is estimated at 0.6–1 per 10,000 pregnancies. The case fatality rate has been reported to be 5–37%. Owing to the rarity of the event, information related to MI in pregnancy is derived from case reports and, therefore, is subject to considerable reporting bias. Treatment needs to be prompt and urgent because of the very high mortality rate. Current guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of MI should be expanded to include pregnancy-related MI. Screening and management of cardiovascular risk factors should be achieved before pregnancy.     

Acute coronary syndrome in pregnant women

The purpose of this article is to review the available information on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of acute coronary syndromes (ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]) during all stages of pregnancy. We searched the English-language literature indexed in MEDLINE, Scopus and EBSCO host research databases from 1980 through to August 2010 using the indexing terms 'pregnancy', 'ante-,peri-, and postpartum', 'acute coronary syndrome', 'myocardial infarction', 'STEMI' and 'NSTEMI'. Symptomatic coronary artery disease is still infrequent in women of childbearing age, but the recent increase in its prevalence in pregnancy has been attributed to the modern trend of childbearing in older years because many young working women are postponing having children. Although rare, acute pregnancy-related MI is a devastating event that may claim the life of a mother and her fetus. The incidence of MI is estimated at 0.6-1 per 10,000 pregnancies. The case fatality rate has been reported to be 5-37%. Owing to the rarity of the event, information related to MI in pregnancy is derived from case reports and, therefore, is subject to considerable reporting bias. Treatment needs to be prompt and urgent because of the very high mortality rate. Current guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of MI should be expanded to include pregnancy-related MI. Screening and management of cardiovascular risk factors should be achieved before pregnancy.     

孕早期弓形虫抗体检测的临床意义初探

目的综合系列血清弓形虫抗体检测结果分析孕早期孕妇弓形虫感染状况。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法检测2083例妊娠早期(第6～12周)妇女血清中弓形虫抗体IgG和IgM,于2～3周后再采集IgG或IgM阳性受检者血清定量检测IgG并比较IgG滴度变化;如果IgG滴度变化小于30%或阴性于2周后再采集标本定量检测IgG。结果 1928例IgG-和IgM-,未感染弓形虫,属易感人群;其余受检者按计划再采集血清定量检测IgG。在27例IgG-和IgM+的受检者中,检出11例IgG抗体阳性,为近期原发感染;其余16例未检出IgG抗体,IgM为假阳性,未感染弓形虫,属易感人群。83例IgG+和IgM-受检者中,检出1例IgG抗体滴度升高大于30%,但未产生IgM,属近期活动性感染;其余82例IgG抗体滴度没有明显变化,属既往感染。45例IgG+和IgM+受检者中,其中14例IgG抗体滴度升高大于30%,属近期活动性感染;其余31例IgG抗体滴度没有明显变化,属既往感染,但IgM持续存在。弓形虫感染率为6.67%,其中既往感染113例,近期活动性感染26例。结论综合系列血清弓形虫抗体IgG与IgM检测,可以辅助诊断孕早期妇女弓形虫的感染状况。     

Plasma exchange in the treatment of hemolytic disease of the newborn

Plasma exchange has become a widely used therapeutic tool in the treatment of immune-mediated disease. This technique has been applied to the treatment of gravid women whose high antibody titers and past history of stillbirths indicate a significant possibility of fetal loss due to HDN. The procedure was effective in decreasing both antibody titer and the quantity of antibody in four of five patients. In one other case, the antibody titer rose toward the end of the pregnancy; however, the quantity of anti-D remained low. The IgG:IgM ratio and the subclass specificity of IgG did not significantly change with treatment. Hematologic monitoring also indicated no adverse effects, and three of the five women delivered viable fetuses. Two of the other women produced infants only moderately affected by HDN but stillborn within days of intrauterine transfusion. The results indicate that plasma exchange is a useful therapeutic consideration in the sensitized gravid women.     

北京地区孕前及孕早期妇女TORCH感染情况调查

目的通过化学发光免疫分析法测定北京地区育龄妇女血清中TORCH抗体,对其感染的阳性率进行调查,为本区域孕妇保健提供参考依据。方法调查对象为在我院进行孕前筛查和孕12周前普查的妇女,共计5 870名,TORCH抗体的测定采用化学发光免疫分析法（CLIA）。结果TORCH-IgM抗体总阳性率达19.3%,其中以单纯疱疹病毒（Ⅰ＋Ⅱ）感染阳性率最高,为10.5%。调查发现秋冬季节为弓形虫、风疹病毒感染的相对高发期,巨细胞病毒（CMV）感染在夏秋季节发病率较高。IgG类抗体中CMV IgG的阳性率最高,达92.4%。结论北京地区孕前和孕早期妇女TORCH感染率较高,积极的进行监测以预防先天性TORCH感染是非常必要的。     

Anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I antibodies and the risk of myocardial infarction in young premenopausal women

BACKGROUND: Contrasting data have been reported on the association between the presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) and arterial thrombotic events, particularly those in coronary arteries. This discrepancy is perhaps related to the confounding effect of traditional risk factors. Among them, coronary atherosclerosis appears to be the most important in studies conducted in middle-aged and elderly patients. OBJECTIVE: To minimize such confounding effects, a multicenter case-control study on the association between aPL and myocardial infarction (MI) was carried out in a rare cohort of young premenopausal women. METHODS: We evaluated 172 cases hospitalized for a first MI before the age of 45 years and 172 controls individually matched with cases for age, sex and geographical origin. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and levels of anti-cardiolipin (aCL), anti-beta2 glycoprotein I (anti-beta2GPI) and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) were measured. RESULTS: A significant association between MI and IgG/IgM anti-beta2GPI antibodies was observed; the results were confirmed after adjusting for smoking and hypertension (anti-beta2GPI IgG OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.81-3.38; anti-beta2GPI IgM 4th quartile OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.69-8.02). The association between anti-beta2GPI antibodies and MI was detected in both subgroups with and without coronary artery stenosis. Whereas the association of aCL IgG with MI was modest, ANA showed no significant association with MI. No aPL were found in unselected patients (mainly males) who recently developed acute MI. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-beta2GPI antibodies are a significant risk factor for MI in young premenopausal women independently of other risk factors, including the degree of coronary artery stenosis.     

2015年北京地区孕前妇女血清TORCH抗体 及TNF-α水平检测与相关分析

目的 了解2015年北京地区育龄妇女TORCH感染情况,并探讨近期感染与TNF-α水平的关系。方法 采用ELISA法对2015年1月～12月进行孕检的970例妇女筛查TOX,RV,CMV,HSV-I,HSV-II IgM和IgG抗体。同时对IgM阳性妇女检测血清TNF-α水平,对结果进行统计分析。结果 孕前妇女TOX,RV,CMV,HSV-I和HSV-II IgM的阳性率分别为1.65%,2.16%,4.54%,17.42% 和 6.08%。IgG的阳性率依次是3.81%,93.40%,92.47%,64.02%和14.64%。<30岁妇女CMV和HSV-I IgM阳性率高于≥30岁妇女(χ²=4.558,4.051; 均P<0.05)。HSV-I型夏季感染率高于其他季节(χ²=5.356,P<0.05)。TORCH IgM阳性患者血清TNF-α水平高于正常体检组(t=10.219,P<0.01)。结论2015年北京地区孕前妇女TORCH感染率较高且有其流行特点,检测TNF-α水平对于生殖健康具有重要病理意义。     

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Risk of Future Cardiovascular Disease in Women

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of mortality in women globally. In addition to traditional risk factors, some sex-specific conditions increase the burden of cardiovascular disease in women. With this literature review, we aimed to review evidence on associations between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. After a database search and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 studies were included in the review. Our findings suggest that a history of preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, or elevated systolic blood pressure alone during pregnancy is consistently associated with increased risk of developing and dying from myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertension, and/or stroke in later life. Nurses and other health care providers should be aware of the cardiovascular risk associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and engage women at risk in discussions about health promotion strategies and interventions to address modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors.     

急性心肌梗死与柯萨奇B组病毒感染关系的研究

目的　探讨柯萨奇B组病毒感染与急性心肌梗死 (AMI)的发病关系。方法　应用SPA吸收IgG结合间接ELISA法检测AMI患者血清中柯萨奇B组病毒特异性IgM抗体及中和抗体。结果　 4 8例AMI患者血清特异性IgM抗体阳性率为 75 % ,血清中和抗体阳性率为 85 4 % ,与正常对照组相比差异非常显著。双份血清试验 ,恢复期血清抗体效价高于初期血清抗体效价 4倍以上。结论　AMI发病与柯萨奇B组病毒感染有关。     

巴中地区2009～2011年TORCH检测回顾性分析

目的 研究巴中地区近3年育龄人群感染弓形体、其他微生物、风疹病毒、巨细胞病毒、单纯疱疹病毒(TORCH)的情况,探讨不良妊娠与TORCH感染的关系以及不同季节TORCH感染的流行情况.方法 采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)抽样检测巴中地区近3年2159例TORCH的抗体水平,比较孕前育龄男性组、育龄女性组、健康妊娠组和不良妊娠组、耍幼儿组特异性抗体阳性率,城市和农村人群TORCH抗体的阳性率,不同季节感染阳性率.结果 2009～2011年TORCH分析孕前育龄男性组、育龄女性组及耍幼儿组TORCH抗体阳性率分别为7.4％、14.7％和12.9％,3组间差异无统计学意义(x2=2.22,P＞0.05);3组间巨细胞病毒抗体(CMV-IgM)阳性率比较,婴幼儿组抗体阳性率为11.2％,较其他两组明显升高,差异有统计学意义(x2=20.3,P＜0.05).与动物有接触史者弓形虫抗体(TOX-IgM)阳性率为8.2％,无接触史者TOX-IgM阳性率为1.9％,差异有统计学意义(x2 ＝57.1,P＜0.05).不良妊娠组妇女所有TORCH项目的IgM阳性率均显著高于健康妊娠组妇女,差异有统计学意义(x2 =31.6,P＜0.05);城市人群TOX-IgM阳性率为6.9％,农村为17.4％,差异有统计学意义(x2=31.3,P＜0.05).春、夏季TORCH-IgM总阳性率和TOX、CMV、单纯疱疹(HSV)的IgM阳性率明显高于秋、冬季,差异均有统计学意义(x2=28.6,P＜0.05),而风疹病毒(RUV-IgM)阳性率冬、春季显著高于夏、秋季,差异均有统计学意义(x2 =24.6,P＜0.05).结论 TORCH感染无性别、年龄差异,普遍易感.农村人群与家畜接触机会多,感染机会大.因季节不同,机体抵抗力有差异,感染率需要实际关注,尤其是孕妇、儿童免疫力下降极易被感染.因此建议将TORCH检测作为育龄夫妇常规检测项目.     

武汉地区育龄期妇女戊型肝炎流行现状调查

目的 明确武汉地区育龄期妇女戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)流行现状,以评估该地区开展孕前HEV检测及疫苗接种的必要性.方法 随机选取2019年3月11-21日在该院进行TORCH检测的育龄期妇女836例作为研究对象,根据年龄设置为<26岁、26～<30岁、30～<35岁、≥35岁4个年龄组.采用酶联免疫吸附试验法检测各年龄组血...     

Postpartum myocardial infarction: a rehabilitation challenge

Myocardial infarction in pregnancy or the puerperium is an uncommon occurrence. Thus, when young pregnant women sustain a myocardial infarction, they present a complex challenge to cardiovascular nurses. Issues such as female gender, young age, and child-bonding must be considered in addition to assisting the recovery from the myocardial infarction itself. This case study describes the rehabilitative nursing care of a young woman who sustained a postpartum myocardial infarction.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a rare threat to young women

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection not associated with underlying coronary artery disease is rare. When the dissection does occur, it most often is manifested as an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in young women. Although the condition can occur in men, most often it involves women who are in their third trimester of pregnancy or the early postpartum period or are engaging in vigorous exercise. Because little is known about spontaneous coronary artery dissection in this population of women, recommendations for treatment are the same as for treatment of acute myocardial infarction associated with atherosclerotic coronary disease.     

Chloramphenicol-dependent antibody: a case report

BACKGROUND: Chloramphenicol-dependent antibodies are a rare cause of interference in pretransfusion serologic testing. Their presence can be confirmed by the testing of red cells in both the presence and absence of chloramphenicol. CASE REPORT: A 29-year-old, group A, Rh-positive man with no history of chloramphenicol exposure was found to have a chloramphenicol-dependent panagglutinin in his serum. The antibody was IgM with a titer of 8. It showed no blood group specificity when tested with common and rare red cell phenotypes, and it failed to react with platelets and granulocytes. Confirmation attempts using a chloramphenicol sodium succinate solution as the cell-suspending medium led to negative results. The antibody reacted serologically only in the presence of chloramphenicol, which arises from the succinate derivative by the action of blood esterases. CONCLUSION: This case is an additional example of a chloramphenicol-dependent antibody. It demonstrates how the laboratory investigation of drug-related phenomena is dependent on testing the drug from that reacts in vivo.     

Contribution to the serologic study of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy

Toxoplasma antibodies in five women sera during the pregnancy were detected by direct agglutination and immunofluorescent tests both for IgG and IgM. The presence and the changes of the IgG and IgM titers are related to the abortion and/or foetal pathology. In order to prevent such a risk the authors suggest to test all the women before or early in the pregnancy for toxoplasma antibodies.     

Autoantibodies against the endothelial receptor of protein C are associated with acute myocardial infarction in young women

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is rare among young women. The search for unknown risk factors is warranted. Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is largely present at the endothelial surface of large arteries. No studies about association of anti-EPCR autoantibodies (anti-EPCR) with AMI are available. METHODS: Plasma IgA, IgM and IgG anti-EPCR levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 165 women younger than 45 years who survived a first AMI and 165 healthy women, matched by age and geographical origin. RESULTS: Using the 90th percentile of IgA anti-EPCR in the control group, IgA anti-EPCR were independently associated with AMI after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors (OR 5.1; 95% CI 1.7-15.6; P = 0.004). The risk apparently conferred by IgA anti-EPCR increased dose-dependently (P for trend =0.0002). IgM anti-EPCR were less consistently associated with AMI: a significant increase in the risk was found when women above the 90th percentile were compared with those in the lowest quartile (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.2-11.5; P = 0.03). IgG anti-EPCR were similar in patients and controls. A total of 145 patients underwent coronary arteriography. IgA or IgM anti-EPCR were not different among patients with different degrees of atherosclerotic lesion (anova, P = 0.77 and 0.24, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: High levels of IgA and, to a lesser extent, IgM anti-EPCR, are associated with AMI in young women.     

IgG titer, subclass, and light-chain phenotype of pregnancy-induced HPA-5b antibodies that cause or do not cause neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND: The most common pregnancy-induced platelet-specific antibody is HPA-5b. Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia that results from anti-HPA-5b may cause severe hemorrhage in only a few infants, but the sequelae for the affected children can be severe. It is therefore essential that infants at risk for neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia are identified. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The IgG titer, subclass, and light-chain composition of pregnancy-induced anti-HPA-5b were determined by the monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of platelet antigens assay. Sera were from 12 mothers, who among them had 16 pregnancies that resulted in an HPA-5-mismatched fetus (positive for HPA-5b). Eight mothers gave birth to an infant with a normal platelet count. Three maternal sera were obtained after delivery of a severely thrombocytopenic infant. Three alloimmunized women were followed repeatedly during the course of a subsequent pregnancy, again with an HPA-5-mismatched infant. RESULTS: There was no difference in the antibody titer or its subclass in mothers who had a thrombocytopenic child and the titer or subclass in mothers compared with those who had a child with a normal platelet count. All pregnancy-induced HPA-5b antibodies were of a predominant, lambda, light-chain type. The IgG subclass did not change during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Neither the antibody titer nor the subclass composition predict the occurrence of thrombocytopenia in a newborn whose mother is alloimmunized against HPA-5b.     

Myocardial infarction in pregnancy

The number of women experiencing myocardial infarction (MI) in pregnancy is relatively negligible. However, the incidence of MI in pregnancy may be on the rise, and maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality is significant. While diagnosis may be difficult, perinatal nurses must be knowledgeable about the risk factors and various means of treatment for the woman and family experiencing this acute complication of pregnancy. Precis: MI in pregnancy is rare, but can produce significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Challenges in diagnosis and treatment of MI in pregnancy are discussed.     

Differentiation of anti-D, -C, and -G: clinical relevance in alloimmunized pregnancies

BACKGROUND: The differentiation of anti-D, -C, and -G specificities is seldom considered clinically important in pretransfusion testing. However, distinguishing these antibody specificities in alloimmunized pregnancies may be essential. The clinical prognosis as well as Rh immune globulin prophylaxis depends on the accurate identification of these antibodies. CASE REPORT: A pregnant woman, para 1 gravida 4, who had received Rh immune globulin at appropriate intervals during her previous pregnancies was reported to have anti-D (titer = 4) and anti-C (titer = 32). Differential adsorption and elution studies showed that the patient had anti-C and anti-G, but not anti-D. This case prompted retrospective examination of the sera from six other women with anti-D and anti-C who were referred to a high-risk pregnancy clinic. Of six pregnant women reported to have anti-D and anti-C; two had anti-D, -C, and -G; three had anti-D and -G, but not anti-C; and one had anti-C and -G, but not anti-D. This last is similar to the index case. CONCLUSION: Cases of pregnant women with anti-C and -G, but not anti-D, are not infrequent. Studies to differentiate anti-D, -C, and -G should be performed on alloimmunized pregnant women presumptively identified as having anti-D and anti-C when the medical history (Rh immune globulin prophylactic therapy) and/or titer values (e.g., anti-C titer higher than anti-D titer) suggest that anti-D may not actually be present. Rh immune globulin has not failed in these patients, and they should receive this therapy during pregnancy to prevent immunization to D.     

妊娠和产褥期脑静脉窦栓塞的诊断与治疗

脑静脉窦栓塞在年轻女性中是比较少见的疾病,然而,在妊娠和产褥期,脑静脉窦血栓形成的发病率增加。脑静脉窦血栓形成、局部缺血性卒中/颅内出血的发病和死亡的频率和危险增加。本文将讨论妊娠和产褥期脑静脉窦血栓形成的诊断与治疗。