Aspirin for the prevention of placenta-mediated complications in pregnant women with chronic hypertension

Benefits of Hydroxychloroquine Combined with Low-Dose Aspirin on Pregnancy Outcomes and Serum Cytokines in Pregnant Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, with hydroxychloroquine being the main therapeutic agent for the treatment of SLE. This research explored the effects of hydroxychloroquine combined with low-dose aspirin on maternal and infant outcomes and cytokines of pregnant women with SLE.

METHODS

Ninety pregnant women with SLE were divided into the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) group (45 cases) and the hydroxychloroquine combined with low-dose aspirin (HCQASP) group (45 cases) by random number table. Patients in the HCQ group were treated with oral administration of hydroxychloroquine, while patients in the HCQASP group were treated with low-dose aspirin based on oral administration of hydroxychloroquine. Pregnancy outcomes, fetal outcomes, and cytokine levels were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The HCQASP group had a significantly higher proportion of full-term pregnancies and a significantly lower proportion of hypertension, prematurity, and pregnancy loss than the HCQ group. Neonates in the HCQASP group also had significantly higher birth weights and Apgar scores and a significantly lower proportion of neonatal asphyxia than the HCQ group. After treatment, the HCQASP group had significantly higher interleukin (IL-2) and interferon (IFN)-γ levels and significantly lower IL-4 and IL-10 levels than the HCQ group.

CONCLUSION

Hydroxychloroquine combined with low-dose aspirin can effectively improve the pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women with SLE by affecting the levels of T helper (Th) 2 and Th1 cytokines.

Low-dose aspirin in pregnancy: who? when? how much? and why?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The use of low dose aspirin (LDA) has become routine in prenatal care for a variety of diagnoses, most importantly in women with a history of preeclampsia and associated poor pregnancy outcomes. Although LDA is currently indicated in patients considered to be at risk for development of preeclampsia, optimal dosing, timing of treatment initiation, and persons of benefit are under investigation. Several studies have also looked at LDA treatment and its effect on other maternal and fetal outcomes. This review summarizes the current guidelines for the use of LDA, incorporating the most recent research findings, and offers possible future implications of LDA treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Over 10 years ago, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the World Health Organization, and the United States Preventive Service Task Force began publishing guidelines focused on the use of LDA in pregnancy. Since the release of these guidelines, several large studies have re-evaluated the use of LDA with a focus on initiation of treatment and dosing. The combined results of these studies suggest a decreased rate of preeclampsia at aspirin doses >100 mg when treatment is initiated prior to 16 weeks of gestation.

SUMMARY

Overall, early initiation of LDA has been shown to decrease the development of preeclampsia in patients considered at increased risk. Current literature suggests increasing the recommended dose to >100 mg to optimize these risk reductions. Although LDA use seems promising for other outcomes like preterm delivery and intrauterine growth restriction, further studies to strengthen recommendations are warranted.

Preeclampsia before 26 weeks of gestation: Obstetrical prognosis for the subsequent pregnancy

INTRODUCTION

Gestational age at delivery seems to be a risk factor of recurrence of preeclampsia. The objective of this study was to analyze adverse pregnancy outcomes and recurrence of preeclampsia during the subsequent pregnancy in women with a history of pre-eclampsia delivered before 26 weeks of gestation.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We performed a retrospective study in two French tertiary care hospitals between 2000 and 2018. Patients with a history of pre-eclampsia delivered before 26 weeks of gestation were analyzed. Information on the immediate subsequent pregnancy was collected. Adverse composite outcome was defined as recurrent preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, placental abruption, fetal growth restriction <3rd percentile or <10^e percentile with Doppler abnormalities, maternal death and fetal death.

RESULTS

Among the 107 patients who met the criteria, 48 were analyzed for a subsequent pregnancy. Seventeen women (35.4 %) developed an adverse composite outcome, occurring for 15 women (31.2 %) before 34 weeks. Ten women (20.8 %) developed a recurrent preeclampsia occurring for 5 women (10.4 %) before 34 weeks. We related 3 HELLP syndromes, 1 placental abruption, 9 fetal growth restrictions, 3 fetal deaths and no maternal death. Compared to baseline normotensive women, chronic hypertension was significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse composite outcome (19.3 vs 58.8 %, p-value 0.014).

CONCLUSION

In our population, preeclampsia with delivery before 26 weeks is associated with 35.4 % of adverse composite outcomes and 20.8 % of recurrent preeclampsia during the immediate subsequent pregnancy. These results justify the importance of an ongoing monitoring of these patients during subsequent pregnancy.