ANTITHROMBOTIC PROPHYLAXIS RECURRENT PREECLAMPSIA IN PATIENTS WITH THROMBOPHILIA

In the modern obstetrics practice the socially significant issue is the obstetric complications leading to the pregnancy termination, as well as to increased level of perinatal and maternal mortality [7]. PE – preeclampsia – is a pathological condition associated with pregnancy and characterized by hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation, appearing in about 4% (1.5 to 10%) of all pregnancy cases and being one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality [11]. PE is the most important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in the world [8,9,10]. The risk of perinatal mortality in this disease increases 5-fold [16]. It is thought that PE is a cause of 75,000 maternal deaths worldwide annually [6]. Broadening and extension of knowledge on the modern means of PE prevention deserves close attention.

In 1980ies-1990ies there was a series of discoveries of multiple genetic forms of thrombophilia, including FV Leiden mutation, prothrombin mutation G20210А, polymorphisms of the genes controlling fibrinolysis system -PAI-1, 4G/5G, polymorphisms of tissue-type plasminogen activator t-РА I/D, of fibrinogen 455 A/G, of factor XII etc, as well as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) [12,13]. The studies began for the role of hyperhomocysteinemy in the development of atherothrombosis and venous thromboembolism. Simultaneously the researchers began to study the role of genetic and acquired thrombophilia in the ethiopathogenesis of not only thrombotic but also of typically obstetric complications - preeclampsia, miscarriages, fetal growth retardation syndrome (FGR), antenatal fetal death (AFD), premature detachment of normally located placenta, that determine the perinatal morbidity and mortality [2,4,5]. According to the data of the studies of the group headed by Professor A.D. Makatsaria, as well as the worldwide literature data, such obstetric complications as PE and fetal loss syndrome are associated with multigene and combined forms of thrombophilia in 70-77% of cases [3,7,14,15]. Currently the results of meta-analysis allow us to separate the genetic and acquired forms of thrombophilia into the independent group of risk factors for primary obstetric complications (PE, fetal loss syndrome, fetal growth retardation syndrome etc.) [17]. Due to this fact the scientific community is now facing the need to search the new form of prevention of recurrent pregnancy complications, including PE.

A number of scientists, such as Rey Е., Gamen Р., Fait G., Many A., Kupfermink MJ., Gris JC., Brenner B. made such attempts and got very optimistic results.

The objective of our work is the evaluation of anti-thrombotic prevention of recurring PE in the women with thrombophilia.

We examined 66 patients with thrombophilia (genetic, acquired or combined) and PE in their medical history, who were included in the prospective group: 35 patients with PE in anamnesis who addressed and respectively was followed up by us since the start of fertile cycle (Ia subgroup), and 31 patients with PE in anamnesis who addressed us when already pregnant (week 6 till week 13 of gestation) – IIa subgroup. Patients in Ia subgroup were examined and consulted before pregnancy and were followed up during the entire gestation period after the delivery. The patients in subgroup IIа were evaluated before the pregnancy (as a part of retrospective group); however they were followed up only since the moment of their address to us (when already pregnant, on terms 6 to 13 weeks).

The control group consisted of 50 women with uncomplicated pregnancy course, uncomplicated obstetric-gynecological and thrombotic anamnesis.

The Figure 1 shows the obstetric anamnesis of the patients from the prospective group.

The diagram data show the following: the most frequent obstetric pathology in this group of patients were fetal growth retardation syndrome and premature delivery: in 35 patients (53%), the second most frequent – premature detachment of normally located placenta – in 19 patients (28.8%), antenatal fetal death was in anamnesis of 6 patients which constituted 9%, thromboses in the postnatal period were detected in anamnesis of 5 patients (7.6%).

Regardless of the hemostasis defect type, all the patients received the basis therapy with anti-thrombotic drugs (starting from fertile cycle in groupIa, from the moment of address in group IIa). – Aspirin (Thrombo-ASS 25-100 mg) depending on the platelets function, LMH – Fraxiparine or Clexane in the dose 0.3-0.9 ml QD subcutaneously (since the start of the pregnancy in groupIa, since the moment of address in group IIa). As the part of the additional therapy all the patients in the prospective group were given group B vitamins (Multitabs В complex), folic acid no less than 4 mg per day as part of basis therapy (in the patients with hyperhomocysteinemia caused by the MTHFR mutation), polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3, Omega 6).

Before the LMH prescription the USI was performed on mandatory basis in order to:

• Clarify the uterine localization of the gestation sac
• Lack of the chorionic exfoliation sites

Also before the Fraxiparine prescription, and then 10 days after this and then once per month we performed the control of the level of thrombophilia markers ТАТ, D-dimer, measured the level of homocysteine in plasma, protein C function (Parus-test), level of PAI-1, aggregation platelets activity. This is necessary to select the adequate drug dose and to control the effectiveness and safety of the drug use. The group of the patients displayed progesterone insufficiency (the possible cause for it being APLA circulation), due to which they all were given Utrogestan (200-800 per os and vaginally) up to week 24 of pregnancy. In case of lack of blood secretions the vaginal use of the drug is preferable – it leads to rapid absorption, primary passage through endometrium, decreased concentration in general blood flow and lack of the systemic effect on the early pregnancy term. Regarding aspirin, it is prescribed depending on the circulation of APA-cofactors for polymorphism of platelets receptors and aggregation platelets activity in the mini-doses of 75 mg/day. Both Fraxiparine and aspirin were prescribed as part of the basis therapy, starting from fertile cycle (in case of presence of high levels of thrombophilia markers), duration and doses of the drugs were adjusted depending on the degree of the risk of thrombotic complications.

LMH was taken subcutaneously 1-2 times per day continuously during the entire pregnancy. The day before the cesarean section the drug was discontinued in order to prevent the hemorrhagic complications, and 8 hours after the surgery the therapy was restored for 10 days, with the duration of the therapy subject to change – depending on the condition of the hemostasis system parameters. Tests used for the evaluation were as follows: APTT, thromboelastography, prothrombin time.

Table 1 shows the results of the baseline evaluation of hemostasis system in the patients from prospective group.

Also before the LMH prescription we performed the study of the thrombophilia disorders structure in the patients from prospective group (Table 2).

Thus the parameters of hemostasiogram of the studied patients showed the following changes: increased D-dimer was noted in more than a half of the patients (53%), increased level of TAT complex was noted in 57.5%, aggregation activity of platelets was noted in 62.1%, ВА was noted in 10 patients – 15.2%, increased PAI-1 level was noted in 53% of cases. No patients displayed increased hemorrhagic tendencies. 5 patients with the medical history including the thrombosis in postnatal period had the relatively higher levels of those markers due to which they were prescribed higher doses of LMH. With this therapy at III trimester the marker levels in the patients of prospective group were comparable to the ones of the patients in the control group. Let us review this dynamics in example of D-dimer (Figure 2), as well as aggregation activity of platelets (Figure 3).

Also after LMH prescription there was noted the decrease in the levels of APA-cofactors, levels of prothrombin antibodies, anti-annexin V, anti-beta-2GP-1 (Figure 4). That was also the dynamics regarding homocystein.

Apart from the monitoring of laboratory data the patients in the prospective group underwent the control of therapy efficiency using clinical functional methods as well. For example, in order to evaluate the condition of uteroplacental and fetoplacental blood flow on term 30-32, 34-36 and 38 weeks there was performed USI with Doppler velocimetry.

As the result the course and the outcome of pregnancy in this group of the patients were the following (Table 3): fetal growth retardation syndrome was noted in 7 patients out of the group, in 2 patients from the subgroup Ia and in 5 patients from subgroup IIa. The threat of pregnancy termination in the prospective group of patients was noted in 6 (9.1%): 1 (2.9%) and 6 (16.1%) in subgroups Ia and IIa, respectively. The premature delivery was not observed in any patients in subgroup Ia, in subgroup IIa it was observed in 2 (6.5%), and no patients in control group had premature delivery. The urgent cesarean section was not performed to any patient: neither in prospective group nor in the control group. Regarding the gestation toxicosis: mild gestation toxicosis was observed in the patients in Ia, IIa and in control group- 1 (2.9%), 6 (16.1%) and 5 (10%), respectively. Data distribution for the moderate gestation toxicosis: 0, 2 (6.5%), 0, respectively. We were able to prevent severe PE, while the moderate PE was observed only in 2 patients in IIa group, neither Ia subgroup nor control group had the PE cases.

Thus we can see that the number of obstetric complications was significantly higher in the subgroup of the patients follow-up of which started when they were already pregnant and not in fertile cycle (unlike subgroup Ia).

All the patients delivered via cesarean section. In the control group only 12 (24%) patients delivered via cesarean section, mostly elective one: due to high degree of myopia, scar on the uterus after the cesarean section surgery, pelvic presentation of fetus.

66 live children were born, with mean weight 3,250±250 g, height 51±2 cm, Apgar score 75%- 8-9 points and 25%- 7-8 points. Early neonatal period was unremarkable.

Regarding the further follow-up and the therapy of the patients from prospective group: the day before the surgery LMH drugs were discontinued with the therapy resumed 8 hours after surgery. It shall be noted that LMH doses varied depending on the thrombotic history of the patients: in case of complicated anamnesis the patients were given the drugs in the dose 0.6-0.9 ml, in uncomplicated anamnesis – 0.3 ml. In a month the patients were transferred to Warfarin, the duration of therapy course was 6 months (target INR 2.0-3.0).

All the patients were followed up in the early and late postnatal period, there was performed the analysis of clinical symptoms and control of molecular markers of thrombophilia. On day 8-10 post surgery the values of those markers decreased just like the parameters of inopexia. Thrombohemorrhagic complications (postnatal hemorrhage, hematometra, subinvolution of uterus) were not detected in any of the patients, also there was no difference in the volume of blood loss between the patients from prospective and control groups, just like in the necessity of blood transfusion, which indicates the safety of LMH use during pregnancy and in postnatal period.

The data shown above (Table 4) make it evident that the early start of LMH therapy in the patients of prospective group allowed us to achieve the perinatal outcome, statistically comparable to the ones in the control group. All the patients had the uncomplicated pregnancy course and the favorable perinatal outcomes. Thus we can deduce that for the optimized follow-up of the next pregnancy and the possibility of the timely start of the adequate preventive therapy, all the patients with PE in anamnesis need to perform the study of hemostasis system for genetic and acquired thrombophilia form.

1. All the patients with PE in anamnesis need to be tested for thrombophilia (acquired and genetic).
2. Detection of thrombophilia (acquired, genetic or combined) in the patients with PE in anamnesis gives us the possibility for pathogenetic justification of effective prevention of this complication in subsequent pregnancies.
3. In order to prevent the repeated PE in subsequent pregnancy one need to start the therapy from fertile cycle, continuing it during the pregnancy, childbirth and in postnatal period. Therapy shall include LMH, group B vitamins, antioxidants and micronized progesterone.
4. Discontinuation of LMH 24 hours before the planned cesarean section and resuming the thera­py 8 hours after the surgery allowed us to avoid hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications in 100% of cases.

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Zhuravleva Ekaterina Viktorovna – MD, PhD, research associate of the Ob/Gyn Department of The First Moscow State Medical Sechenov University. Address: ul. Trubetskaya, 8, str. 2, Moskva, Russia, 119048. Tel.: +7(495)788-58-40. E-mail: evyashenina@list.ru

Bitsadze Victoria Omarovna – MD., Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical and Preventive, First Moscow State Medical Sechenov University. Address: ul. Trubetskaya, 8, str. 2, Moskva, Russia, 119048. Tel.: +7(495)788-58-40. E-mail: gemostasis@mail.ru.

Makatsariya Aleksandr Davidovich – MD, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical and Preventive, First Moscow State Medical Sechenov University. Address: ul. Trubetskaya, 8, str. 2, Moskva, Russia, 119048. Tel.: +7(495)788-58-40. E-mail: gemostasis@mail.ru.

Журавлева Екатерина Викторовна – к.м.н., научный сотрудник кафедры акушерства и гинекологии МПФ Первого МГМУ им И.М. Сеченова. Адрес: ул. Трубецкая, 8, стр. 2, Москва, Россия, 119048. Тел.: +7(495)788-58-40. E-mail: evyashenina@list.ru.

Бицадзе Виктория Омаровна – д.м.н., профессор, профессор кафедры акушерства и гинекологии медико-профилактического факультета Первого МГМУ им. И.М. Сеченова. Адрес: ул. Трубецкая, 8, стр. 2, Москва, Россия, 119048. Тел.: +7(495)788-58-40. E-mail: gemostasis@mail.ru.

Макацария Александр Давидович – д.м.н., член-корреспондент РАН, профессор, заведующий кафедрой акушерства и гинекологии медико-профилактического факультета Первого МГМУ им. И.М. Сеченова. Адрес: ул. Трубецкая, 8, стр. 2, Москва, Россия, 119048. Тел.: +7(495)788-58-40. E-mail: gemostasis@mail.ru.