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Howley L, Eyerly-Webb S, Killen SAS, Paul E, Krishnan A, Gropler MRF, Drewes B, Dion E, Lund A, Buyon JP, Cuneo BF. Variation in prenatal surveillance and management of anti-SSA/Ro autoantibody positive pregnancies. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2024; 37:2323623. [PMID: 38443062 PMCID: PMC11005667 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2024.2323623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe international surveillance and treatment strategies for managing anti-SSA/Ro autoantibody positive pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN An electronic REDCap questionnaire was distributed to Fetal Heart Society and North American Fetal Therapy Network members which queried institution-based risk stratification, surveillance methods/frequency, conduction abnormality treatments, and postnatal anti-SSA/Ro pregnancy assessment. RESULTS 101 responses from 59 centers (59% US, 17% international) were collected. Most (79%) do not risk stratify pregnancies by anti-SSA/Ro titer; those that do use varied cutoff values. Many pregnant rheumatology patients are monitored for cardiac abnormalities regardless of maternal anti-SSA/Ro status. Surveillance strategies were based on maternal factors (anti-SSA/Ro status 85%, titer 25%, prior affected child 79%) and monitoring durations varied. Most respondents treat 2° and 3° fetal atrioventricular block, commonly with dexamethasone and/or IVIG. CONCLUSIONS Wide variation exists in current fetal cardiac surveillance and treatment for anti-SSA/Ro autoantibody positive pregnancies, highlighting the need for evidence-based protocols to optimize care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Howley
- Midwest Fetal Care Center, Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- The Children’s Heart Clinic, Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | | | - Stacy A. S. Killen
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Erin Paul
- Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Children’s Heart Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Bailey Drewes
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Eric Dion
- Midwest Fetal Care Center, Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Amy Lund
- Midwest Fetal Care Center, Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- The Children’s Heart Clinic, Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Jill P. Buyon
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Tarter L, Bermas BL. Expert Perspective on a Clinical Challenge: Lupus and Pregnancy. Arthritis Rheumatol 2024; 76:321-331. [PMID: 37975160 DOI: 10.1002/art.42756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multiorgan systemic inflammatory disorder, predominantly affects women during their reproductive years. In this review, we summarize the state of knowledge about preconception planning and management of SLE during pregnancy. Achieving remission or low disease activity for several months on medications compatible with pregnancy prior to conception is essential to decreasing the risk of disease flare and improving pregnancy outcomes, including pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction. With close management and well-controlled disease before and during pregnancy, <10% of patients flare. All patients with SLE should remain on hydroxychloroquine unless contraindicated. Expectant mothers with a history of antiphospholipid syndrome should be treated with anticoagulant therapy during pregnancy. Women with anti-Ro/SSA or anti-La/SSB antibodies require additional monitoring because their offspring are at increased risk for congenital heart block. Patients with SLE should be offered low-dose aspirin starting at the end of the first trimester to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. Flares of SLE during pregnancy require escalation of therapy. The immunosuppressives azathioprine, tacrolimus, and cyclosporine are compatible with pregnancy, and biologic agents can also be considered. Glucocorticoid use in pregnancy should be limited to the lowest effective dose. Mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid, methotrexate, leflunomide, and cyclophosphamide are known to be teratogenic and are contraindicated in pregnancy. Distinguishing a flare of lupus nephritis during pregnancy from pre-eclampsia can be particularly challenging. Overall, outcomes in pregnancy for women with lupus are improving, but gaps in knowledge about optimal management strategies persist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tarter
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bonnie L Bermas
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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Buyon JP, Masson M, Izmirly CG, Phoon C, Acherman R, Sinkovskaya E, Abuhamad A, Makhoul M, Satou G, Hogan W, Pinto N, Moon-Grady A, Howley L, Donofrio M, Krishnan A, Ahmadzia H, Levasseur S, Paul E, Owens S, Cumbermack K, Matta J, Joffe G, Lindblade C, Haxel C, Kohari K, Copel J, Strainic J, Doan T, Bermudez-Wagner K, Holloman C, Sheth SS, Killen S, Tacy T, Kaplinski M, Hornberger L, Carlucci PM, Izmirly P, Fraser N, Clancy RM, Cuneo BF. Prospective Evaluation of High Titer Autoantibodies and Fetal Home Monitoring in the Detection of Atrioventricular Block Among Anti-SSA/Ro Pregnancies. Arthritis Rheumatol 2024; 76:411-420. [PMID: 37947364 PMCID: PMC11095662 DOI: 10.1002/art.42733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This prospective study of pregnant patients, Surveillance To Prevent AV Block Likely to Occur Quickly (STOP BLOQ), addresses the impact of anti-SSA/Ro titers and utility of ambulatory monitoring in the detection of fetal second-degree atrioventricular block (AVB). METHODS Women with anti-SSA/Ro autoantibodies by commercial testing were stratified into high and low anti-52-kD and/or 60-kD SSA/Ro titers applying at-risk thresholds defined by previous evaluation of AVB pregnancies. The high-titer group performed fetal heart rate and rhythm monitoring (FHRM) thrice daily and weekly/biweekly echocardiography from 17-26 weeks. Abnormal FHRM prompted urgent echocardiography to identify AVB. RESULTS Anti-52-kD and/or 60-kD SSA/Ro met thresholds for monitoring in 261 of 413 participants (63%); for those, AVB frequency was 3.8%. No cases occurred with low titers. The incidence of AVB increased with higher levels, reaching 7.7% for those in the top quartile for anti-60-kD SSA/Ro, which increased to 27.3% in those with a previous child who had AVB. Based on levels from 15 participants with paired samples from both an AVB and a non-AVB pregnancy, healthy pregnancies were not explained by decreased titers. FHRM was considered abnormal in 45 of 30,920 recordings, 10 confirmed AVB by urgent echocardiogram, 7 being second-degree AVB, all <12 hours from normal FHRM and within another 0.75 to 4 hours to echocardiogram. The one participant with second/third-degree and two participants with third-degree AVB were diagnosed by urgent echocardiogram >17 to 72 hours from an FHRM. Surveillance echocardiograms detected no AVB when the preceding interval FHRM recordings were normal. CONCLUSION High-titer antibodies are associated with an increased incidence of AVB. Anti-SSA/Ro titers remain stable over time and do not explain the discordant recurrence rates, suggesting that other factors are required. Fetal heart rate and rhythm (FHRM) with results confirmed by a pediatric cardiologist reliably detects conduction abnormalities, which may reduce the need for serial echocardiograms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gary Satou
- University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | | | | | - Lisa Howley
- Midwest Fetal Care Center, Children's Minnesota/Allina Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | | | | | | | - Erin Paul
- Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, New York
| | | | | | | | - Gary Joffe
- Perinatal Associates of New Mexico, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
| | | | - Caitlin Haxel
- University of Vermont Children's Hospital, Burlington, Vermont
| | | | | | - James Strainic
- UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Tam Doan
- Baylor School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Conisha Holloman
- Baylor School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Shreya S Sheth
- Baylor School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Sapantzoglou I, Fasoulakis Z, Daskalakis G, Theodora M, Antsaklis P. Congenital Heart Block and Its Association With Anti-Ro and Anti-La Antibodies in Pregnancy: A Case Report of a Rare Entity and a Review of the Current Evidence. Cureus 2023; 15:e45832. [PMID: 37881400 PMCID: PMC10593915 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous chronic, multisystem, inflammatory autoimmune disorder with variable clinical features, with its manifestations being attributed to the presence of multiple autoantibodies and their subsequent autoimmune reactions. Multiple organs may be involved, with the kidneys, the joints, and the skin being the most common, increasing maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Our current article describes the case of a 32-year-old primigravida who was referred to our department after the detection of fetal bradycardia and the strong suspicion of an underlying cardiac abnormality. After a detailed fetal and maternal assessment, the diagnosis of SLE-associated fetal congenital heart block was established, and the appropriate management and treatment were provided, factors that led to the uncomplicated delivery and prompt successful management of an otherwise severely affected fetus. Our work, also, includes a detailed review of the accumulated evidence regarding the association between autoantibodies and congenital heart block, the available screening modalities of the condition, and its potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioakeim Sapantzoglou
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, GRC
| | | | - George Daskalakis
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC
| | - Marianna Theodora
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, GRC
| | - Panagiotis Antsaklis
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC
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