Pleural effusion and ascites in severe preeclampsia: frequency and correlation with plasma colloid osmotic pressure and renal filtration function.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Capillary leak with pleural effusion and/or ascites in severe preeclampsia (SP) may be a reason for low plasma colloid osmotic pressure (PCOP) and deterioration of renal filtration function. The objective of this study was to report the frequency of pleural effusion and/or ascites in patients with SP and to compare the correlation with PCOP and renal filtration function. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 92 pregnant women with SP. In 52 patients, no fluid collections were demonstrated and in 40 patients the findings were positive. Correlation with PCOP and endogenous creatinine clearance (CrCl) was calculated. Student t test and Pearson correlation coefficient (r) were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Frequency of fluid collections was 43.48% (ascites, 16 cases; pleural effusion, 12 cases; and ascites with pleural effusion, 12 cases). PCOP in patients without and with collections were different (20.12 ± 2.16 vs. 18.78 ± 2.58 mm Hg, respectively; p = 0.009) as well as with endogenous CrCl (111.69 ± 37.61 vs. 95.27 ± 34.22 ml/min/1.73 m(2) SC × 0.85; p = 0.03). Correlation coefficient (r) of PCOP was negative with all the fluid collections (ascites -0.25, pleural effusion -0.29, ascites with pleural effusion -0.02 and -0.30) as well as the r of endogenous CrCl (ascites -0.01, pleural effusion -0.13, ascites with pleural effusion -0.27 and -0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of collections was very high (43.48%). A weak negative correlation with PCOP and endogenous CrCl was found.