Hepatic rupture in hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

Rupture of hepatic hematoma associated with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome is a catastrophic complication of pregnancy. Maternal and fetal mortality rates are still high despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to present our experience at two referral centers for hepatic disease and to compare it with cases from the literature.

METHODS

We reviewed nine cases that occurred over the past 6 years in our centers and made an extensive literature review covering the past 10 years. We reviewed and compared multiple outcomes for all these cases.

RESULTS

The median maternal age of our patients was 29 years (interquartile range 27-32). Embolization treatment was used with seven of nine (78%) of our patients compared with 5 of 88 (6%) in the literature (P<.001). Our maternal and fetal mortality rates were 0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0-34%) and 30% (95% CI 7-65%), respectively, compared with 17% (95% CI 10-26%) and 38% (95% CI 31-52%]) from our review of the literature from 2000 to 2010.

CONCLUSION

The use of hepatic artery embolization to address hepatic rupture associated with HELLP syndrome may help minimize morbidity and maternal mortality.