[Frequency and maternal complications of the criteria of hemolysis in preeclamptic patients with HELLP syndrome treated in an intensive care unit].
BACKGROUND
HELLP syndrome is an aggressive form of preeclampsia related with hemolysis and its complications.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of the appearance of criteria of hemolysis and maternal complications in preeclamptic patients with HELLP syndrome treated in an intensive care unit.


METHODS
We carried out a cross-sectional study in 50 preeclamptic women with HELLP syndrome admitted to intensive care unit to determine the presence of the following criteria of hemolysis: peripheral blood schistocytes, anemia (hemoglobin ≤ 10 g/dL), lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 600 U/L, indirect bilirubin ≥ 0.6 mg/dL and hemoglobinuria. We also studied maternal complications in patients with lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 600 U/L and positive for schistocytes. Descriptive (mean, median, range, standard deviation) and inferential (Student t test) statistics were used.


RESULTS
Lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 600 U/L was found in 36%, indirect bilirubin 0.6 mg/dL in 20%, positive schistocytes in 16%, hemoglobinuria in 4% and anemia in 0%. Patients with lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 600 U/L had more clinical and laboratory deterioration as well as prolonged intensive care unit stay (p = 0.0025). Patients positive for schistocytes did not demonstrate adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Biochemical criteria of hemolysis were more frequent than schistocytes, hemoglobinuria and anemia. Patients with lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 600 U/L was alterations more serious than patients with positive schistocytes so its usefulness as a biomarker may be higher.
J G
JG
Vázquez-Rodríguez
C D
CD
Ríos-Gutiérrez
E P
EP
Paredes-Lozano
A
A
García-Flores
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004913:Erythrocytes, Abnormal / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase