Objective: Severe gestational hypertriglyceridemia is a rare disease, and there are no published guidelines to assist the clinician in management. However, due to the elevations in lipids that occur during pregnancy, this condition is encountered in clinical practice and presents a therapeutic dilemma. We report the successful management and treatment of a patient with severe gestational hypertriglyceridemia and conducted a review of the literature regarding treatment modalities.Methods: We conducted a search in PubMed from 1990 to 2018 for the following terms: "severe hypertriglyceridemia in pregnancy;" "management of hypertriglyceridemia in pregnancy;" "apheresis for severe gestational hypertriglyceridemia;" "TPN for severe gestational hypertriglyceridemia;" "insulin for severe gestational hypertriglyceridemia;" and "heparin for treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia." We then reviewed the literature.Results: Given the risks to the mother and fetus of severe hypertriglyceridemia, aggressive therapy should be initiated within a multidisciplinary team. There are multiple treatment modalities, including restrictive diet, various medications such as niacin, fibrates, intravenous heparin, insulin, and apheresis. Choice of treatment will depend on the patient's comorbidities, clinical status, and if there are any associated complications.Conclusion: Treatment for severe gestational hypertriglyceridemia should be initiated immediately and aggressively to avoid risk to the mother and infant, including pancreatitis, hyperviscosity syndrome, preeclampsia, fetal death, and preterm labor. (AACE Clinical Case Rep. 2019;5:e99-e103) Abbreviations: HDL = high-density lipoprotein; LPL = lipoprotein lipase; TG = triglyceride; VLDL = very-low-density lipoprotein
METHODS
Search StrategyWe conducted a search in PubMed for the following terms: "severe hypertriglyceridemia in pregnancy;" "pathophysiology of gestational hypertriglyceridemia;" "management of hypertriglyceridemia in pregnancy;" "apheresis for severe gestational hypertriglyceridemia;" Abbreviations: LPL = lipoprotein lipase; TG = triglyceride; VLDL = very-low-density lipoprotein. a Table adapted from references (1,3,4).
We describe a case of renal papillary necrosis in a middle-aged female with sickle cell trait who presented with gross hematuria. We wish to highlight this case for several reasons. Sickle cell trait is often viewed as a benign condition despite the fact that it is associated with significant morbidity such as renal papillary necrosis and renal medullary carcinoma. Appropriate evaluation needs to be undertaken to promptly diagnose renal papillary necrosis and differentiate it from renal medullary carcinoma as this can result in deadly consequences for patients. CT urography has emerged as a diagnostic study to evaluate hematuria in such patients. We review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of renal papillary necrosis in patients with sickle cell trait.
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