A case of massive hepatic infarction in severe preeclampsia as part of the HELLP syndrome

Abstract

Hepatic infarction is a rare and fatal complication associated with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets syndrome. It can develop into fulminant liver failure and lead to death in 16% of cases. A 25-year-old woman, with unremarkable prenatal history, was sent to gynecological emergency unit for management of severe preeclampsia at 30 weeks and 4 days of pregnancy. Initial laboratory studies revealed aspartate aminotransferase at 290 U/L, alanine aminotransferase at 193 U/L and a normal value of hemoglobin, platelets and the prothrombin time. Behind the persistence of high blood pressure despite dual therapy, an emergent cesarean section was performed. However, two days after surgery, the patient accused an epigastric pain and was subsequently noted to have developed HELLP syndrome: thrombocytopenia (77000 /ul), anemia (hemoglobin 9.1 g/dL) and worsened liver injury (aspartate aminotransferase 2809 U/L; alanine aminotransferase 2502 U/L). A thoraco-abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) was performed, which revealed massive hepatic infarction more marked on the right lobe, by showing the existence of diffuse hypodense plaques, poorly limited, not enhanced after injection, interesting all hepatic segments. The vascular permeability of the portal and subhepatic was preserved. During the surveillance, the laboratory tests worsened (hemoglobin = 4,6 g/dl; platelets count = 20000 /ul; WBC = 26000 /ul; CRP = 340 mg/l; albumin = 16 g/l, prothrombin time (PT) = 50%). The patient received antibiotics, she was transfused by red blood cells and platelets concentrates, she also received albumin with the pleural effusion drainage. The damaged hepatic areas stayed stable in control CT and the patient gradually improved here biological test, to become normal at 11 days after delivery. Hepatic infarction is an extraordinarily rare complication of preeclampsia. The diagnosis should be suspected by noting elevated liver enzymes, thrombocytopenia and typical images of hepatic infarction on abdominal CT. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management is necessary to prevent hepatic failure and death.