Successful pregnancy with scleroderma renal disease and pulmonary hypertension in a patient using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

Article Abstract:

Scleroderma, a chronic disease of unknown cause, is characterized by thickening or hardening of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, heart, and kidneys. It may be associated with the CREST syndrome, which consists of: calcinosis or calcium deposits in tissues; Raynaud's phenomenon, a blood vessel disorder characterized by constriction of blood vessels; impaired function of the esophagus; hardening of skin of fingers and toes; and telangiectasia, blood vessel lesions due to dilation of small blood vessels. Pregnancy rarely occurs in patients with scleroderma, and is associated with increased disease for the mother, especially hypertension, or abnormally high blood pressure, kidney failure, and death. A case is described of a 27-year-old pregnant woman with scleroderma that resulted in kidney disease and pulmonary hypertension, or increased blood pressure within the lungs. Treatment of severe hypertension during pregnancy in patients with scleroderma has been difficult, and this is the first report of therapy with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor to control hypertension in a pregnant scleroderma patient. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors prevent the formation of angiotensin II, which constricts blood vessels and, thereby, contributes to the rise in blood pressure. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors may be hazardous to the fetus, but did not cause adverse effects in this case. Thus, successful pregnancy is possible after complications of the kidney and lung have developed in a patient with scleroderma. However, women with this disease should receive counseling about the potential hazards of pregnancy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Case studies, Hypertension, Complications and side effects, Drug therapy, Angiotensin converting enzyme, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications

---

Early phenotypic activation of circulating helper memory T cells in scleroderma: correlation with disease activity

Article Abstract:

Activation of helper memory T cells may play an important role in the development and progression of scleroderma. Scleroderma is a connective tissue disorder characterized by chronic hardening and thickening of the skin. A study compared the activation of helper memory T cells in 17 patients with scleroderma to that in 10 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, five patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 10 healthy individuals. Scleroderma patients had increased blood levels of CD4 T cells and T cell activation molecules CD25 and CD26, compared with the patients with other rheumatoid diseases and the healthy individuals. A significant association was found between increased blood levels of CD4 T cells and CD26 in scleroderma patients with increased disease activity.

---

Natural killer cells and gamma-delta T cells in scleroderma: relationship to disease duration and anti-Scl-70 antibodies

Article Abstract:

Subtypes of white blood cells believed to be involved in the development of scleroderma may vary depending on patient characteristics. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of connective tissue and blood vessels. Blood was drawn from 15 scleroderma patients and 11 healthy volunteers. White blood cells, components of the immune system, were isolated and typed by antigenic reaction. The numbers of cells of certain subtypes varied according to whether patients were early or late in the course of their disease.

Killer cells

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Early markers of HIV-1 disease progression in a prospective cohort of seroconverters in Bangkok, Thailand. Sexually transmitted infection services as a component of HIV care: Findings of a demonstration project among HIV-infected women in Thailand
• Abstracts: Build upon strengths and leadership practices using EBP. Developing an integrated falls prevention strategy
• Abstracts: Influence of race, sex, and age on management of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction: the TIMI III Registry
• Abstracts: Chronic parotitis: diagnosis and treatment. Drug-induced paraparotid fat deposition in patients with HIV: case reports
• Abstracts: Combined tetanus, diphtheria, and 5-component pertussis vaccine for use in adolescents and adults. Effect of orlistat on weight and body composition in obese adolescents: A randomized controlled trial

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.