Monitoring of Women with Anti-Ro/SSA and Anti-La/SSB Antibodies in Germany-Status Quo and Intensified Monitoring Concepts.

ABSTRACT: Background: The fetuses of pregnant women affected by anti-Ro/anti-La antibodies are at risk of developing complete atrioventricular heart block (CAVB) and other potentially life-threatening cardiac affections. CAVB can develop in less than 24 h. Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and immunoglobulins (IVIG) can restore the normal rhythm if applied in the transition period. Routine weekly echocardiography, as often recommended, will rarely detect emergent AVB. The surveillance of these pregnancies is controversial. Home-monitoring using a hand-held Doppler is a promising new approach. Methods: To obtain an overview of the current practice in Germany, we developed a web-based survey sent by the DEGUM (German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine) to ultrasound specialists. With

SUBMITTER: Bedei IA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10889801 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature