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 the intention to evaluate practicability of home-monitoring, we instructed at-risk pregnant women to use a hand-held Doppler in the vulnerable period between 18 and 26 weeks at our university center. Results: There are trends but no clear consensus on surveillance, prophylaxis, and treatment of anti-Ro/La positive pregnant between specialists in Germany. Currently most experts do not offer home-monitoring but have a positive attitude towards its prospective use. Intensified fetal monitoring using a hand-held Doppler is feasible for pregnant women at risk and does not lead to frequent and unnecessary contact with the center. Conclusion: Evidence-based guidelines are needed to optimize the care of anti-Ro/La-positive pregnant women. Individual risk stratification could help pregnancy care of women at risk and is welcmed by most experts. Hand-held doppler monitoring is accepted by patients and prenatal medicine specialists as an option for intensified monitoring and can be included in an algorithm for surveillance.