Less-tight versus tight control of hypertension in pregnancy

Diagnosis and Monitoring of White Coat Hypertension in Pregnancy: an ISSHP Consensus Delphi Procedure

BACKGROUND

There is no accepted definition or standardized monitoring for white coat hypertension in pregnancy. This Delphi procedure aimed to reach consensus on out-of-office blood pressure (BP) monitoring, and white coat hypertension diagnostic criteria and monitoring.

METHOD

Relevant international experts completed three rounds of a modified Delphi questionnaire. For each item, the predefined cutoff for group consensus was ≥70% agreement, with 60% to 70% considered to warrant reconsideration at the subsequent round, and <60% considered insufficient to warrant consideration.

RESULTS

Of 230 experts, 137 completed the first round and 114 (114/137, 83.2%) completed all three. For out-of-office BP monitoring, there was consensus that home BP monitoring (HBPM) should be chosen; instructions given, pairs of BP values taken, opportunity given for women to qualify values they do not regard as valid, and BP considered evaluated when ≥25% of values are above a cutoff. For HBPM, BP should be taken at least 2 to 3 d/wk, at minimum in the morning; however, many factors may affect frequency and timing. Experts endorsed a clinic BP <140/90 mm Hg as normal. While not reaching consensus, most agreed that HBPM values should be lower than clinic BP. Among those, HBPM <135/85 mm Hg was considered normal. There was consensus that white coat hypertension warrants: HBPM at least 1 d/wk before 20 weeks, 2 to 3 d/wk after 20 weeks or if persistent hypertension develops, and symptom monitoring (ie, headache, visual symptoms, and right upper quadrant/epigastric pain).

CONCLUSIONS

Consensus-based diagnostic criteria and monitoring strategies should inform clinical care and research, to facilitate evaluation of out-of-office BP monitoring on pregnancy outcomes.

Anti-hypertensive use for non-severe gestational hypertension in Botswana: A case-control study

OBJECTIVE

The fetal risks and benefits of antihypertensives to treat gestational hypertension in pregnancy are understudied, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

METHODS

We performed a nested case-control study within a retrospective cohort of obstetrical patients in Botswana from 2014 to 2019. We included women carrying singletons who developed new onset non-severe hypertension (140-159 mm Hg systolic or 90-109 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure) after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Cases were defined as women with either small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants or stillbirth, analyzed separately; controls were otherwise similar women without the adverse outcome in each analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 1932 cases of SGA (7925 controls) and 316 cases of stillbirth (9619 controls). Cases with SGA were more likely to have used an anti-hypertensive than controls (33% vs 29%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-1.43). Cases with stillbirth were more likely to have used an anti-hypertensive than controls (42% versus 29%, aOR 1.45, 95% CI 1.14-1.83).

CONCLUSION

Anti-hypertensive use for new-onset gestational hypertension was associated with an increased risk of having an SGA infant or a stillbirth among women who never developed severe hypertension. These data support conduct of a randomized clinical trial to determine the appropriate use of anti-hypertensives in non-severe gestational hypertension.

Oral Antihypertensives for Nonsevere Pregnancy Hypertension: Systematic Review, Network Meta- and Trial Sequential Analyses

BACKGROUND

We aimed to address which antihypertensives are superior to placebo/no therapy or another antihypertensive for controlling nonsevere pregnancy hypertension and provide future sample size estimates for definitive evidence.

METHODS

Randomized trials of antihypertensives for nonsevere pregnancy hypertension were identified from online electronic databases, to February 28, 2021 (registration URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; unique identifier: CRD42020188725). Our outcomes were severe hypertension, proteinuria/preeclampsia, fetal/newborn death, small-for-gestational age infants, preterm birth, and admission to neonatal care. A Bayesian random-effects model generated estimates of direct and indirect treatment comparisons. Trial sequential analysis informed future trials needed.

RESULTS

Of 1246 publications identified, 72 trials were included; 61 (6923 women) were informative. All commonly prescribed antihypertensives (labetalol, other β-blockers, methyldopa, calcium channel blockers, and mixed/multi-drug therapy) versus placebo/no therapy reduced the risk of severe hypertension by 30% to 70%. Labetalol decreased proteinuria/preeclampsia (odds ratio, 0.73 [95% credible interval, 0.54-0.99]) and fetal/newborn death (odds ratio, 0.54 [0.30-0.98]) compared with placebo/no therapy, and proteinuria/preeclampsia compared with methyldopa (odds ratio, 0.66 [0.44-0.99]) and calcium channel blockers (odds ratio, 0.63 [0.41-0.96]). No other differences were identified, but credible intervals were wide. Trial sequential analysis indicated that 2500 to 10 000 women/arm (severe hypertension or safety outcomes) to >15 000/arm (fetal/newborn death) would be required to provide definitive evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, all commonly prescribed antihypertensives in pregnancy reduce the risk of severe hypertension, but labetalol may also decrease proteinuria/preeclampsia and fetal/newborn death. Evidence is lacking for many other safety outcomes. Prohibitive sample sizes are required for definitive evidence. Real-world data are needed to individualize care.

Maternal Hypertension Increases Risk of Preeclampsia and Low Fetal Birthweight: Genetic Evidence From a Mendelian Randomization Study

BACKGROUND

Maternal cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Given the difficulty in establishing causal relationships using epidemiological data, we applied Mendelian randomization to explore the role of cardiovascular risk factors on risk of developing preeclampsia or eclampsia, and low fetal birthweight.

METHODS

Uncorrelated single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated systolic blood pressure (SBP), body mass index, type 2 diabetes, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) with cholesterol, smoking, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and estimated glomerular filtration rate at genome-wide significance in studies of 298 957 to 1 201 909 European ancestry participants were selected as instrumental variables. A 2-sample Mendelian randomization study was performed with primary outcome of preeclampsia or eclampsia (PET). Risk factors associated with PET were further investigated for their association with low birthweight.

RESULTS

Higher genetically predicted SBP was associated increased risk of PET (odds ratio [OR] per 1-SD SBP increase 1.90 [95% CI=1.45-2.49]; P=3.23×10-6) and reduced birthweight (OR=0.83 [95% CI=0.79-0.86]; P=3.96×10-18), and this was not mediated by PET. Body mass index and type 2 diabetes were also associated with PET (respectively, OR per 1-SD body mass index increase =1.67 [95% CI=1.44-1.94]; P=7.45×10-12; and OR per logOR increase type 2 diabetes =1.11 [95% CI=1.04-1.19]; P=1.19×10-3), but not with reduced birthweight.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide evidence for causal effects of SBP, body mass index, and type 2 diabetes on PET and identify that SBP is associated with reduced birthweight independently of PET. The results provide insight into the pathophysiological basis of PET and identify hypertension as a potentially modifiable risk factor amenable to therapeutic intervention.

Optimal blood pressure target to prevent severe hypertension in pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Severe hypertension in pregnancy is a hypertensive crisis that requires urgent and intensive care due to its high maternal and fetal mortality. However, there is still a conflict of opinion on the recommendations of antihypertensive therapy. This study aimed to identify the optimal blood pressure (BP) levels to prevent severe hypertension in pregnant women with nonsevere hypertension. Ovid MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library were searched, and only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if they compared the effects of antihypertensive drugs and placebo/no treatment or more intensive and less intensive BP-lowering treatments in nonsevere hypertensive pregnant patients. A random effects model meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled risk ratio (RR) for the outcomes. Forty RCTs with 6355 patients were included in the study. BP-lowering treatment significantly prevented severe hypertension (RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.37-0.56), preeclampsia (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69-0.98), severe preeclampsia (RR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17-0.84), placental abruption (RR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32-0.86), and preterm birth (< 37 weeks; RR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.71-0.93), while the risk of small for gestational age infants was increased (RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02-1.54). An achieved systolic blood pressure (SBP) of < 130 mmHg reduced the risk of severe hypertension to nearly one-third compared with an SBP of ≥ 140 mmHg, with a significant interaction of the BP levels achieved with BP-lowering therapy. There was no significant interaction between the subtypes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and BP-lowering treatment, except for placental abruption. BP-lowering treatment aimed at an SBP < 130 mmHg and accompanied by the careful monitoring of fetal growth might be recommended to prevent severe hypertension.

Changes in ophthalmic artery Doppler during acute blood-pressure control in hypertensive pregnant women

OBJECTIVE

To examine the changes in ophthalmic artery Doppler indices and their association with changes in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, following acute antihypertensive treatment in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy presenting with high blood pressure.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of 31 pregnant women presenting at 30 + 0 to 39 + 6 weeks' gestation for management of their hypertension. Paired maternal blood-pressure and ophthalmic-artery-Doppler measurements were performed prior to and at 30 min and 60 min after starting antihypertensive medication. In patients who did not achieve blood-pressure control (i.e. when blood pressure was < 140/90 mmHg) by 60 min, paired readings were continued up to 120 min. If blood-pressure control was still not achieved at that point, patients were admitted to hospital. Univariate linear regression was performed to determine the association of ophthalmic artery peak systolic velocity (PSV) ratio with SBP, DBP and MAP before treatment and after blood-pressure control. The longitudinal changes in MAP, SBP, DBP and PSV ratio from pretreatment to 30 min and 60 min after commencement of antihypertensives were examined by repeated measure, multilevel, linear mixed-effects analysis.

RESULTS

Antihypertensive treatment was associated with a decrease in SBP, DBP, MAP and PSV ratio. At 60 min following antihypertensive treatment, the decrease in SBP, DBP, MAP and PSV ratio was 12.1 mmHg (95% CI, 9.0-15.1 mmHg; P < 0.0001), 9.1 mmHg (95% CI, 6.5-11.5 mmHg; P < 0.0001), 10.0 mmHg (95% CI, 7.6-12.4 mmHg; P < 0.0001) and 0.07 (95% CI, 0.03-0.11 mmHg; P < 0.001), respectively. From the total cohort, 20 (64.5%) women had achieved blood-pressure control at 60 min and another seven (22.6%) by 120 min from commencement of antihypertensive treatment. Four (12.9%) women did not achieve blood-pressure control during this period and were admitted to hospital. The relationship between PSV ratio and SBP, DBP and MAP was assessed before treatment (n = 31) and at the point of blood-pressure control in women in whom this was achieved by 120 min (n = 27). Prior to treatment, there was a significant association between PSV ratio and MAP (P < 0.0001, R²  = 0.39). This was primarily due to the association of PSV ratio with DBP (P < 0.0001, R²  = 0.39) and less so due to its association with SBP (P = 0.02, R²  = 0.16). At the point of achieving blood-pressure control, there was no significant association between PSV ratio and MAP (P = 0.7), DBP (P = 0.5) or SBP (P = 0.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute blood-pressure control in pregnancy is associated with a concomitant reduction in blood pressure and ophthalmic artery PSV ratio. In hypertensive pregnant women, there is a significant association of PSV ratio with MAP, SBP and DBP, which disappears after blood pressure is reduced to < 140/90 mmHg following antihypertensive treatment. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Guidelines-similarities and dissimilarities: a systematic review of international clinical practice guidelines for pregnancy hypertension

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to review pregnancy hypertension clinical practice guidelines to inform international clinical practice and research priorities.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Relevant national and international clinical practice guidelines, 2009-19, published in English, French, Dutch or German.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

Following published methods and prospective registration (CRD42019123787), a literature search was updated. CPGs were identified by 2 authors independently who scored quality and usefulness for practice (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument), abstracted data, and resolved any disagreement by consensus.

RESULTS

Of note, 15 of 17 identified clinical practice guidelines (4 international) were deemed "clinically useful" and had recommendations abstracted. The highest Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II scores were from government organizations, and scores have improved over time. The following were consistently recommended: (1) automated blood pressure measurement with devices validated for pregnancy and preeclampsia, reflecting increasing recognition of the prevalence of white-coat hypertension and the potential usefulness of home blood pressure monitoring; (2) use of dipstick proteinuria testing for screening followed by quantitative testing by urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio or 24-hour urine collection; (3) key definitions and most aspects of classification, including a broad definition of preeclampsia (which includes proteinuria and maternal end-organ dysfunction, including headache and visual symptoms and laboratory abnormalities of platelets, creatinine, or liver enzymes) and a recognition that it can worsen after delivery; (4) preeclampsia prevention with aspirin; (5) treatment of severe hypertension, most commonly with intravenous labetalol, oral nifedipine, or intravenous hydralazine; (6) treatment for nonsevere hypertension when undertaken, with oral labetalol (in particular), methyldopa, or nifedipine, with recommendations against the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors; (7) magnesium sulfate for eclampsia treatment and prevention among women with "severe" preeclampsia; (8) antenatal corticosteroids for preterm birth but not hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome; (9) delivery at term for preeclampsia; (10) a focus on usual labor and delivery care but avoidance of ergometrine; and (11) an appreciation that long-term health complications are increased in incidence, mandating lifestyle change and risk factor modification. Lack of uniformity was seen in the following areas: (1) the components of a broad preeclampsia definition (specifically respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, fetal manifestations, and biomarkers), what constitutes severe preeclampsia, and whether the definition has utility because at present what constitutes severe preeclampsia by some guidelines that mandate proteinuria now defines any preeclampsia for most other clinical practice guidelines; (2) how preeclampsia risk should be identified early in pregnancy, and aspirin administered for preeclampsia prevention, because multivariable models (with biomarkers and ultrasonography added to clinical risk markers) used in this way to guide aspirin therapy can substantially reduce the incidence of preterm preeclampsia; (3) the value of calcium added to aspirin for preeclampsia prevention, particularly for women with low intake and at increased risk of preeclampsia; (4) emerging recommendations to normalize blood pressure with antihypertensive agents even in the absence of comorbidities; (5) fetal neuroprotection as an indication for magnesium sulfate in the absence of "severe" preeclampsia; and (6) timing of birth for chronic and gestational hypertension and preterm preeclampsia.

CONCLUSION

Consistent recommendations should be implemented and audited. Inconsistencies should be the focus of research.

The assessment of blood pressure in pregnant women: pitfalls and novel approaches

Accurate assessment of blood pressure is fundamental to the provision of safe obstetrical care. It is simple, cost effective, and life-saving. Treatments for preeclampsia, including antihypertensive drugs, magnesium sulfate, and delivery, are available in many settings. However, the instigation of appropriate treatment relies on prompt and accurate recognition of hypertension. There are a number of different techniques for blood pressure assessment, including the auscultatory method, automated oscillometric devices, home blood pressure monitoring, ambulatory monitoring, and invasive monitoring. The auscultatory method with a mercury sphygmomanometer and the use of Korotkoff sounds was previously recommended as the gold standard technique. Mercury sphygmomanometers have been withdrawn owing to safety concerns and replaced with aneroid devices, but these are particularly prone to calibration errors and regular calibration is imperative to ensure accuracy. Automated oscillometric devices are straightforward to use, but the physiological changes in healthy pregnancy and pathologic changes in preeclampsia may affect the accuracy of a device and monitors must be validated. Validation protocols classify pregnant women as a "special population," and protocols must include 15 women in each category of normotensive pregnancy, hypertensive pregnancy, and preeclampsia. In addition to a scarcity of devices validated for pregnancy and preeclampsia, other pitfalls that cause inaccuracy include the lack of training and poor technique. Blood pressure assessment can be affected by maternal position, inappropriate cuff size, conversation, caffeine, smoking, and irregular heart rate. For home blood pressure monitoring, appropriate instruction should be given on how to use the device. The classification of hypertension and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy has recently been revised. These are classified as preeclampsia, transient gestational hypertension, gestational hypertension, white-coat hypertension, masked hypertension, chronic hypertension, and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia. Blood pressure varies across gestation and by ethnicity, but gestation-specific thresholds have not been adopted. Hypertension is defined as a sustained systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mm Hg or a sustained diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mm Hg. In some guidelines, the threshold of diagnosis depends on the setting in which blood pressure measurement is taken, with a threshold of 140/90 mm Hg in a healthcare setting, 135/85 mm Hg at home, or a 24-hour average blood pressure on ambulatory monitoring of >126/76 mm Hg. Some differences exist among organizations with respect to the criteria for the diagnosis of preeclampsia and the correct threshold for intervention and target blood pressure once treatment has been instigated. Home blood pressure monitoring is currently a focus for research. Novel technologies, including early warning devices (such as the CRADLE Vital Signs Alert device) and telemedicine, may provide strategies that prompt earlier recognition of abnormal blood pressure and therefore improve management. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on methods to assess blood pressure in pregnancy and appropriate technique to optimize accuracy. The importance of accurate blood pressure assessment is emphasized with a discussion of preeclampsia prediction and treatment of severe hypertension. Classification of hypertensive disorders and thresholds for treatment will be discussed, including novel developments in the field.

Toward personalized management of chronic hypertension in pregnancy

Chronic hypertension complicates 1% to 2% of pregnancies, and it is increasingly common. Women with chronic hypertension are an easily recognized group who are in touch with a wide variety of healthcare providers before, during, and after pregnancy, mandating that chronic hypertension in pregnancy be within the scope of many practitioners. We reviewed recent data on management to inform current care and future research. This study is a narrative review of published literature. Compared with normotensive women, women with chronic hypertension are at an increased risk of maternal and perinatal complications. Women with chronic hypertension who wish to be involved in their care can do by measuring blood pressure at home. Accurate devices for home blood pressure monitoring are now readily available. The diagnostic criteria for superimposed preeclampsia remain problematic because most guidelines continue to include deteriorating blood pressure control in the definition. It has not been established how angiogenic markers may aid in confirmation of the diagnosis of superimposed preeclampsia when suspected, over and above information provided by routinely available clinical data and laboratory results. Although chronic hypertension is a strong risk factor for preeclampsia, and aspirin decreases preeclampsia risk, the effectiveness specifically among women with chronic hypertension has been questioned. It is unclear whether calcium has an independent effect in preeclampsia prevention in such women. Treating hypertension with antihypertensive therapy halves the risk of progression to severe hypertension, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes, but a reduction in preeclampsia or serious maternal complications has not been observed; however, the lack of evidence for the latter is possibly owing to few events. In addition, treating chronic hypertension neither reduces nor increases fetal or newborn death or morbidity, regardless of the gestational age at which the antihypertensive treatment is started. Antihypertensive agents are not teratogenic, but there may be an increase in malformations associated with chronic hypertension itself. At present, blood pressure treatment targets used in clinics are the same as those used at home, although blood pressure values tend to be inconsistently lower at home among women with hypertension. Although starting all women on the same antihypertensive medication is usually effective in reducing blood pressure, it remains unclear whether there is an optimal agent for such an approach or how best to use combinations of antihypertensive medications. An alternative approach is to individualize care, using maternal characteristics and blood pressure features beyond blood pressure level (eg, variability) that are of prognostic value. Outcomes may be improved by timed birth between 38 0/7 and 39 6/7 weeks' gestation based on observational literature; of note, confirmatory trial evidence is pending. Postnatal care is facilitated by the acceptability of most antihypertensives (including angiotensin-converting enzymes inhibitors) for use in breastfeeding. The evidence base to guide the care of pregnant women with chronic hypertension is growing and aligning with international guidelines. Addressing outstanding research questions would inform personalized care of chronic hypertension in pregnancy.

Hypertension in Pregnancy: Diagnosis, Blood Pressure Goals, and Pharmacotherapy: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) remain one of the major causes of pregnancy-related maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Affected women are also at increased risk for cardiovascular disease later in life, independently of traditional cardiovascular disease risks. Despite the immediate and long-term cardiovascular disease risks, recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of HDP in the United States have changed little, if at all, over past decades, unlike hypertension guidelines for the general population. The reasons for this approach include the question of benefit from normalization of blood pressure treatment for pregnant women, coupled with theoretical concerns for fetal well-being from a reduction in utero-placental perfusion and in utero exposure to antihypertensive medication. This report is based on a review of current literature and includes normal physiological changes in pregnancy that may affect clinical presentation of HDP; HDP epidemiology and the immediate and long-term sequelae of HDP; the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, an HDP commonly associated with proteinuria and increasingly recognized as a heterogeneous disease with different clinical phenotypes and likely distinct pathological mechanisms; a critical overview of current national and international HDP guidelines; emerging evidence that reducing blood pressure treatment goals in pregnancy may reduce maternal severe hypertension without increasing the risk of pregnancy loss, high-level neonatal care, or overall maternal complications; and the increasingly recognized morbidity associated with postpartum hypertension/preeclampsia. Finally, we discuss the future of research in the field and the pressing need to study socioeconomic and biological factors that may contribute to racial and ethnic maternal health care disparities.

Management of cardiovascular risk factors during pregnancy

Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors are rising among women of reproductive age. Obesity, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, and hypertension are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and increased CV disease (CVD) risk following pregnancy. Pre-conception counselling and longitudinal postpartum follow-up with ongoing CV risk factor screening are critical for early CVD prevention, though significant racial/ethnic disparities in access to care result in significant gaps. This review summarises the recommended management of CV risk factors during and after pregnancy. For obesity, prevention of excessive weight gain is critical. Except in rare cases, lipid-lowering therapies for women with hyperlipidaemia should be stopped before pregnancy. Women with diabetes in pregnancy should maintain tight glucose control, with hemolgobin A1c (HbA1c) <6.5% to prevent congenital abnormalities. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with high maternal and neonatal morbidity and require long-term follow-up to prevent future CVD. Finally, this review highlights the lack of clinical trials informing optimal treatment strategies of CV risk factors during and after pregnancy. Further research is needed to better understand how to improve long-term CV health among this high-risk population.

10. Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2022

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SPPC), are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SINT). Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

15. Management of Diabetes in Pregnancy: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2022

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SPPC), are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SINT). Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

A retrospective review of pregnancy outcomes in women with uncomplicated mild to moderate chronic hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To examine pregnancy complications in women with uncomplicated mild-moderate chronic hypertension (CHTN) treated with antihypertensives prior to 20 weeks compared to those not on antihypertensives.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective cohort study examined singleton pregnancies of women with mild-moderate CHTN who delivered from 01/2014-3/2019. Pregnancies complicated by hypertension at ≥ 20 weeks, end organ damage, preexisting diabetes mellitus, early-onset gestational diabetes, multifetal gestation, and fetal anomalies were excluded. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed for each of the outcomes. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were reported along with associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) and p-values.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was superimposed preeclampsia with severe features. Additional maternal outcomes were superimposed preeclampsia without severe features, severe hypertension, indicated preterm delivery, placental abruption, and mode of delivery. Neonatal outcomes included composite perinatal outcomes (fetal growth restriction, intrauterine fetal demise, and small for gestational age neonate), low birth weight, very low birth weight, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, and Apgar score <7 at 5-minutes.

RESULTS

345 women were identified: 232 (67.2%) were not taking antihypertensives and 113 (32.8%) were taking ≥1 antihypertensive. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome (p = 0.65; aOR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.51-1.52) among the group taking antihypertensive therapy as compared to those not taking antihypertensives. No statistically significant differences were seen for any of the other secondary maternal or neonatal outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data supports that the use of antihypertensive therapy in women with mild-moderate CHTN does not reduce the risk of developing superimposed preeclampsia.

A puzzle of proportions: Two popular Bayesian tests can yield dramatically different conclusions

Testing the equality of two proportions is a common procedure in science, especially in medicine and public health. In these domains, it is crucial to be able to quantify evidence for the absence of a treatment effect. Bayesian hypothesis testing by means of the Bayes factor provides one avenue to do so, requiring the specification of prior distributions for parameters. The most popular analysis approach views the comparison of proportions from a contingency table perspective, assigning prior distributions directly to the two proportions. Another, less popular approach views the problem from a logistic regression perspective, assigning prior distributions to logit-transformed parameters. Reanalyzing 39 null results from the New England Journal of Medicine with both approaches, we find that they can lead to markedly different conclusions, especially when the observed proportions are at the extremes (ie, very low or very high). We explain these stark differences and provide recommendations for researchers interested in testing the equality of two proportions and users of Bayes factors more generally. The test that assigns prior distributions to logit-transformed parameters creates prior dependence between the two proportions and yields weaker evidence when the observations are at the extremes. When comparing two proportions, we argue that this test should become the new default.

The impact of pregnancy on antihypertensive drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics: current status and future directions

INTRODUCTION

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are rising in prevalence, and increase risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Physiologic changes occur during pregnancy that alter drug pharmacokinetics. However, antihypertensive drugs lack pregnancy-specific dosing recommendations due to critical knowledge gaps surrounding the extent of gestational changes in antihypertensive drug pharmacokinetics and underlying mechanisms.

AREAS COVERED

This review (1) summarizes currently recommended medications and dosing strategies for non-emergent HDP treatment, (2) reviews and synthesizes existing literature identified via a comprehensive Pubmed search evaluating gestational changes in the maternal pharmacokinetics of commonly prescribed HDP drugs (notably labetalol and nifedipine), and (3) offers insight into the metabolism and clearance mechanisms underlying altered HDP drug pharmacokinetics during pregnancy. Remaining knowledge gaps and future research directions are summarized.

EXPERT OPINION

A series of small pharmacokinetic studies illustrate higher oral clearance of labetalol and nifedipine during pregnancy. Pharmacokinetic modeling and preclinical studies suggest these effects are likely due to pregnancy-associated increases in hepatic UGT1A1- and CYP3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism and lower bioavailability. Accordingly, higher and/or more frequent doses may be needed to lower blood pressure during pregnancy. Future research is needed to address various evidence gaps and inform the development of more precise antihypertensive drug dosing strategies.

Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia: An Overview of National and International Guidelines

Importance

Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Τhe lack of effective screening and management policies appears to be one of the main reasons.

Objective

The aim of this study was to review and compare recommendations from published guidelines on these common pregnancy complications.

Evidence Acquisition

A descriptive review of guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand, the International Society of Hypertension, the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy, the European Society of Cardiology, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, the World Health Organization, and the US Preventive Services Task Force on gestational hypertension and preeclampsia was carried out.

Results

There is an overall agreement that, in case of suspected preeclampsia or new-onset hypertension, blood and urine tests should be carried out, including dipstick test for proteinuria, whereas placental growth factor-based testing is only recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the European Society of Cardiology. In addition, there is a consensus on the recommendations for the medical treatment of severe and nonsevere hypertension, the management of preeclampsia, the appropriate timing of delivery, the optimal method of anesthesia and the mode of delivery, the administration of antenatal corticosteroids and the use of magnesium sulfate for the treatment of eclamptic seizures, the prevention of eclampsia in cases of severe preeclampsia, and the neuroprotection of preterm neonates. The reviewed guidelines also state that, based on maternal risk factors, pregnant women identified to be at high risk for preeclampsia should receive low-dose aspirin starting ideally in the first trimester until labor or 36 to 37 weeks of gestation, although the recommended dose varies between 75 and 162 mg/d. Moreover, most guidelines recommend calcium supplementation for the prevention of preeclampsia and discourage the use of other agents. However, controversy exists regarding the definition and the optimal screening method for preeclampsia, the need for treating mild hypertension, the blood pressure treatment targets, and the postnatal blood pressure monitoring.

Conclusions

The development and implementation of consistent international protocols will allow clinicians to adopt effective universal screening, as well as preventive and management strategies with the intention of improving maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Pregnancy and CKD: Advances in Care and the Legacy of Dr Susan Hou

Dr Susan Hou began her illustrious nephrology career at a time when pregnancy in women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) was hazardous and actively discouraged. Her pioneering research in women's health provided much of the early outcome data that shaped our current understanding of CKD and pregnancy. Although many uncertainties regarding optimal management of this vulnerable patient group remain, recent decades have witnessed important advances and renewed interest in improving care for pregnant women with CKD. Many nephrologists have been inspired by Dr Hou's lifetime of work and are grateful for her generous collaborations. In this In Practice Review, we honor her legacy by providing an update of current literature and clinical management guidance in the context of a clinical case vignette that challenges us to consider the many complex aspects to the counseling and care of women with CKD who desire a pregnancy.

Lower systolic blood pressure levels in early pregnancy are associated with a decreased risk of early-onset superimposed preeclampsia in women with chronic hypertension: a multicenter retrospective study

To clarify the impact of blood pressure (BP) management ranges on pregnancy outcomes, we conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis of 215 women with singleton pregnancies diagnosed with essential hypertension either before or within 14 weeks of gestation. Patients were classified according to systolic BP (sBP; <130, 130-139, 140-159, and ≥160 mmHg) or diastolic BP (dBP; <80, 80-89, 90-109, and ≥110 mmHg) at 8-11, 12-15, and 16-19 weeks of gestation. The risk of early-onset superimposed preeclampsia and small-for-gestational-age neonates was assessed in each BP group. Moreover, a subgroup analysis was performed in 144 eligible patients whose BP was measured at both 12-13 and 14-15 weeks of gestation. At 16-19 weeks of gestation, higher sBP significantly increased the incidence of early-onset superimposed preeclampsia (13.3%, 24.6%, 32.2% and 75.0%, respectively) and small-for-gestational-age neonates (6.0%, 13.1%, 16.9% and 50.0%, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that women with sBP < 130 mmHg at 16-19 weeks of gestation had a significantly lower risk of early-onset superimposed preeclampsia than women with sBP of 140-159 mmHg. Subgroup analyses also showed that even at 14-15 weeks of gestation, sBP < 130 mmHg was associated with a significantly lower risk of early-onset superimposed preeclampsia than an sBP of 140-159 mmHg. In conclusion, sBP < 130 mmHg within 14 weeks of gestation reduced the risk of developing early-onset superimposed preeclampsia in women with chronic hypertension.

Pregnancy and delivery in women receiving maintenance hemodialysis in Japan: analysis of potential risk factors for neonatal and maternal complications

Introduction

Average dialysis vintage in Japan is among the longest in the world, providing a unique opportunity to characterize pregnancy under conditions of long dialysis vintage. In 2017, we carried out a nationwide survey following up on a similar survey in 1996, in which we investigated the prevalence and outcomes of pregnancy in women undergoing dialysis and assessed risk factors associated with neonatal and maternal complications.

Methods

The target population was women aged 15–44 years undergoing maintenance dialysis between 2012 and 2016. The survey was conducted in 2693 dialysis units.

Results

A response was obtained from 951 dialysis units, yielding a target population of 1992 women of childbearing age receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Pregnancy occurred only among women receiving hemodialysis, with 25 pregnancies (1.26% in 5 years) being reported for 20 women. Detailed information about 19 pregnancies (mean age 34.6 ± 5.7 years at conception, mean dialysis vintage 8.4 ± 7.3 years) indicated 4 spontaneous abortions, 1 elective abortion, no neonatal deaths, and 14 surviving infants, including 5 full-term (≥ 37 weeks at birth), 2 late preterm (34–36), and 3 extremely preterm (< 28) cases. Neonatal complications occurred in the offspring of 3 mothers who had end-stage renal disease (ESRD) caused by primary glomerulonephritis and serum albumin levels (sAlb) ≤ 3.2 mg/dL in the first trimester. These mothers had started dialysis at 12, 17, and 30 years of age. ESRD caused by diabetic nephropathy or primary glomerulonephritis, age at conception ≥ 38 years, and sAlb ≤ 3.2 mg/dL were associated with maternal complications, although not significantly.

Conclusions

In this study, the pregnancy rate of Japanese women with ESRD was 0.25% per year. The study generates the hypothesis that ESRD caused by diabetic nephropathy and age at conception ≥ 38 years are potential risk factors for maternal complications but not for neonatal complications in dialysis patients, and that hypoalbuminemia is a potential risk factor for both kinds of complications.

Graphic Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40620-021-01146-3.

Guidelines for the management of women with severe pre-eclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To provide national guidelines for the management of women with severe pre-eclampsia.

DESIGN

A consensus committee of 26 experts was formed. A formal conflict-of-interest (COI) policy was developed at the onset of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guidelines process was conducted independently of any industrial funding. The authors were advised to follow the principles of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE®) system to guide assessment of quality of evidence. The potential drawbacks of making strong recommendations in the presence of low-quality evidence were emphasised.

METHODS

The last SFAR and CNGOF guidelines on the management of women with severe pre-eclampsia were published in 2009. The literature is now sufficient for an update. The aim of this expert panel guidelines is to evaluate the impact of different aspects of the management of women with severe preeclampsia on maternal and neonatal morbidities separately. The experts studied questions within 7 domains. Each question was formulated according to the PICO (Patients Intervention Comparison Outcome) model and the evidence profiles were produced. An extensive literature review and recommendations were carried out and analysed according to the GRADE® methodology.

RESULTS

The SFAR/CNGOF experts panel provided 25 recommendations: 8 have a high level of evidence (GRADE 1+/-), 9 have a moderate level of evidence (GRADE 2+/-), and for 7 recommendations, the GRADE method could not be applied, resulting in expert opinions. No recommendation was provided for 3 questions. After one scoring round, strong agreement was reached between the experts for all the recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

There was strong agreement among experts who made 25 recommendations to improve practices for the management of women with severe pre-eclampsia.

Chronic hypertension in pregnancy: synthesis of influential guidelines

Chronic hypertension in pregnancy accounts for a substantial proportion of maternal morbidity and mortality and is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, most of which can be mitigated by appropriate surveillance and management protocols. The aim of this study was to review and compare recommendations of published guidelines on this condition. Thus, a descriptive review of influential guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand, the International Society of Hypertension, the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy, the European Society of Cardiology, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on chronic hypertension in pregnancy was conducted. All guidelines agree on the definition and medical management, the need for more frequent antenatal care and fetal surveillance and the re-evaluation at 6-8 weeks postpartum. There is also a consensus that the administration of low-dose aspirin is required to prevent preeclampsia, although the optimal dosage remains controversial. No universal agreement has been spotted regarding optimal treatment blood pressure (BP) targets, need for treating mild-to-moderate hypertension and postnatal BP measurements. Additionally, while the necessity of antenatal corticosteroids and magnesium sulfate for preterm delivery is universally recommended, the appropriate timing of delivery is not clearly outlined. Hence, there is a need to adopt consistent practice protocols to optimally manage these pregnancies; i.e. timely detect and treat any potential complications and subsequently reduce the associated morbidity and mortality.

Severe hypertension in pregnancy

Severe hypertension in pregnancy is defined as a sustained systolic blood pressure of 160 mmHg or over or diastolic blood pressure of 110 mmHg or over and should be assessed in hospital. Severe hypertension before 20 weeks' gestation is rare and usually due to chronic hypertension; assessment for target organ damage and exclusion of secondary hypertension are warranted. The most common cause of severe hypertension in pregnancy is pre-eclampsia, which presents after 20 weeks' gestation. This warrants more rapid control of blood pressure due to the risk of haemorrhagic stroke, and intravenous antihypertensive agents may be required. Treatment is determined by licensing, availability and clinician experience, with no high-level evidence to guide prescribing. Labetalol is the agent most commonly used, both orally and intravenously, in pregnancy in the UK. Severe hypertension is a risk factor for sustained hypertension after pregnancy. Hypertension in pregnancy is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy in chronic kidney disease: diagnostic challenges, surveillance and treatment throughout the spectrum of kidney disease

Pregnancy requires several physiological adaptations from the maternal organism, including modifications in the glomerular filtration rate and renal excretion of several products. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can negatively affect these modifications and consequently is associated with several adverse maternal and fetal adverse outcomes (gestational hypertension, progression of renal disease, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and preterm delivery). A multidisciplinary vigilance of these pregnancies is essential in order to avoid and/or control the harmful effects associated with this pathology. Dialysis and transplantation can decrease the risks of maternal and fetal complications, nonetheless, the rates of complications remain high comparing with a normal pregnancy. Several recent developments in this area have improved quality and efficacy of treatment of pregnant women with CKD. This article summarizes the most recent literature about CKD and pregnancy.

Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a multisystem pregnancy disorder characterised by variable degrees of placental malperfusion, with release of soluble factors into the circulation. These factors cause maternal vascular endothelial injury, which leads to hypertension and multi-organ injury. The placental disease can cause fetal growth restriction and stillbirth. Pre-eclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. Prophylactic low-dose aspirin can reduce the risk of preterm pre-eclampsia, but once pre-eclampsia has been diagnosed there are no curative treatments except for delivery, and no drugs have been shown to influence disease progression. Timing of delivery is planned to optimise fetal and maternal outcomes. Clinical trials have reported diagnostic and prognostic strategies that could improve fetal and maternal outcomes and have evaluated the optimal timing of birth in women with late preterm pre-eclampsia. Ongoing studies are evaluating the efficacy, dose, and timing of aspirin and calcium to prevent pre-eclampsia and are evaluating other drugs to control hypertension or ameliorate disease progression.

Three Cases of Severe Placental Abruption as a First Symptom of Preeclampsia

Placental abruption is often referred to in the literature as a complication of preeclampsia. We report 3 recent cases where the first symptom of preeclampsia was placental abruption. All women were previously healthy and in their first ongoing pregnancy. All had been seen by obstetricians for regular pregnancy checkups. None of the patients had a preexisting diagnosis of preeclampsia. Only one of the patients had risk factors for preeclampsia and occasional hypertension. In all cases, laboratory signs of preeclampsia were abnormal intra- or immediately postpartum. One fetus died in utero, and the other two pregnancies fortunately showed a favourable outcome.

[Pregnancy and Irreversible Loss of Brain Functions - Case Report]

A 29-year-old woman suffered major traumatic brain injury caused by a car accident. As diagnostic measures had revealed an early pregnancy (9th week), treatment on the intensive care unit was continued for 5 months, after unfavourable cerebral prognosis was followed by an irreversible loss of brain function in the 10th week of pregnancy. After assisted vaginal delivery of a healthy child in the 31th week of pregnancy on the critical care unit, organ procurement took place according to the presumed will of the patient. The article presents the details of the critical care therapy and discusses the supportive medical measures. Those measures served primarily to uphold the pregnancy und support the healthy development and delivery of the fetus and only in second instance the organ preservation aiming on organ donation. Necessary measures included maintenance of vital functions, hemostasis of electrolytes, nutrition, treatment of infection, prevention of adverse effects on the fetus, substitution of hormones and vitamins as well as the preparation of a planned or an unplanned delivery.

An updated reference for age-sex-specific birth weight percentiles stratified for ethnicity based on data from all live birth infants between 2005 and 2014 in Alberta, Canada

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to update the current reference for sex-specific birth weight percentiles by gestational age, overall and for specific ethnic groups, based on data from all singleton live-birth deliveries from 2005 to 2014 in Alberta, Canada.

METHODS

Infant and maternal information were captured in the Alberta Vital Statistics-Births Database for 473,115 singleton infants born to 311,800 women between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2014. Within each sex, and each sex-ethnic group, birth weights were modelled by gestational age using generalized additive models and natural cubic splines. Crude and corrected estimates for birth weight percentiles including cut-off values for large for gestational age (LGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) were calculated by sex and sex-ethnic group, and gestational age for singleton live births.

RESULTS

LGA and SGA cut-offs were lower for females than for males for all gestational ages. The SGA and LGA percentiles were greater for both male and female very preterm infants in Alberta compared to previous national references. Ethnicity-specific LGA and SGA cut-offs for term Chinese and preterm and at-term South Asian infants were consistently lower than those for both the general population in Alberta and the previous national reference. South Asian infants had lower birth weights at almost all gestational ages compared with the other groups.

CONCLUSION

The updated birth weight percentiles presented in this study highlight the differences in SGA and LGA cut-offs among infants from South Asian, Chinese, and the general population, which may be important for clinical perinatal care.

Stroke in Pregnancy: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Pregnancy confers a substantially increased risk of stroke, especially during the third trimester and until 6 weeks postpartum. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational hypercoagulability are important contributors to obstetric stroke. Preeclampsia and eclampsia confer risk for future cardiovascular disease. Hemorrhagic stroke is the most common type of obstetric stroke. Ischemic stroke can result from cardiomyopathy, paradoxical embolism, posterior reversible encephalopathy, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, and dissections. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a frequent complication of pregnancy.

Blood pressure thresholds in pregnancy for identifying maternal and infant risk: a secondary analysis of Community-Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) trial data

Background

Blood pressure measurement is a marker of antenatal care quality. In well resourced settings, lower blood pressure cutoffs for hypertension are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to study the associations between blood pressure thresholds and adverse outcomes and the diagnostic test properties of these blood pressure cutoffs in low-resource settings.

Methods

We did a secondary analysis of data from 22 intervention clusters in the Community-Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) cluster randomised trials (NCT01911494) in India (n=6), Mozambique (n=6), and Pakistan (n=10). We included pregnant women aged 15–49 years (12–49 years in Mozambique), identified in their community by trained community health workers, who had data on blood pressure measurements and outcomes. The trial was unmasked. Maximum blood pressure was categorised as: normal blood pressure (systolic blood pressure [sBP] <120 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure [dBP] <80 mm Hg), elevated blood pressure (sBP 120–129 mm Hg and dBP <80 mm Hg), stage 1 hypertension (sBP 130–139 mm Hg or dBP 80–89 mm Hg, or both), non-severe stage 2 hypertension (sBP 140–159 mm Hg or dBP 90–109 mm Hg, or both), or severe stage 2 hypertension (sBP ≥160 mm Hg or dBP ≥110 mm Hg, or both). We classified women according to the maximum blood pressure category reached across all visits for the primary analyses. The primary outcome was a maternal, fetal, or neonatal mortality or morbidity composite. We estimated dose-response relationships between blood pressure category and adverse outcomes, as well as diagnostic test properties.

Findings

Between Nov 1, 2014, and Feb 28, 2017, 21 069 women (6067 in India, 4163 in Mozambique, and 10 839 in Pakistan) contributed 103 679 blood pressure measurements across the three CLIP trials. Only women with non-severe or severe stage 2 hypertension, as discrete diagnostic categories, experienced more adverse outcomes than women with normal blood pressure (risk ratios 1·29–5·88). Using blood pressure categories as diagnostic thresholds (women with blood pressure within the category or any higher category vs those with blood pressure in any lower category), dose-response relationships were observed between increasing thresholds and adverse outcomes, but likelihood ratios were informative only for severe stage 2 hypertension and maternal CNS events (likelihood ratio 6·36 [95% CI 3·65–11·07]) and perinatal death (5·07 [3·64–7·07]), particularly stillbirth (8·53 [5·63–12·92]).

Interpretation

In low-resource settings, neither elevated blood pressure nor stage 1 hypertension were associated with maternal, fetal, or neonatal mortality or morbidity adverse composite outcomes. Only the threshold for severe stage 2 hypertension met diagnostic test performance standards. Current diagnostic thresholds for hypertension in pregnancy should be retained.

Funding

University of British Columbia, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Stage 1 hypertension defined by the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines and neonatal outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In 2017, the American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines redefined the threshold of high blood pressure (BP) for non-pregnant adults. Several studies aimed to determine whether lowering these thresholds should be considered for pregnancies to prevent poor neonatal outcomes, but the results were inconclusive.

METHODS

We perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between BP groups defined by the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines and pregnancy outcomes. Relevant literature was searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of Science up to 18 May 2021.

RESULTS

Sixteen eligible studies from twelve articles with a total of 303,131 pregnancies were identified, encompassing 233,084, 20,859, 39,379 individuals with normal BP, elevated BP, and stage 1 hypertension, respectively. When compared with normal BP, the combined odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of elevated BP for adverse pregnancy outcomes was not significant; whereas, that of stage 1 hypertension were 1.25 (1.13-1.39), 1.16 (1.03-1.31), 1.50 (1.28-1.77) and 1.12 (1.00-1.25) for preterm delivery, small for gestational age, low birth weight, and early-term delivery, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that stage 1 hypertension increased the risk of poor neonatal outcomes, highlighting the importance of recognition of stage 1 hypertension as a risk indicator for poor pregnancy outcomes.

Adherence to anti-hypertensive medication in pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

To assess adherence to anti-hypertensive medication by pregnant women and to identify the factors associated with adherence or lack thereof.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational study in 100 pregnant women with either chronic hypertension or gestational hypertension who were being treated with at least one anti-hypertensive medication and attending antenatal clinics at one of two maternity hospitals. In-depth interviews were conducted with a subset of 27 women from the same group. Quotes from interview transcripts were used to illustrate the quantitative results.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

BP control, self-reported adherence, complexity of medication regimen.

RESULTS

Participants (mean age 33 [±4.9] years; mean gestation 29 (±7) weeks) had a median blood pressure (BP) of 130/80 mmHg (IQR: 16/15). Sixty-five women had chronic hypertension, of whom 13 were diagnosed during pregnancy, before 20 weeks gestation. Thirty-five women had gestational hypertension. Ninety-two per cent of participants had sub-optimal adherence. There were no significant differences in adherence scores between participants with chronic hypertension and their counterparts. The main contributors to sub-optimal adherence were intentionally putting up with medical problems before taking any action, confusion about the medication, and making changes to the recommended medication regimen to suit lifestyle.

CONCLUSIONS

Nine out of ten pregnant women using anti-hypertensives self-reported some degree of suboptimal adherence, intentionally and/or unintentionally. Health professionals, including pharmacists, general practitioners and obstetricians, have a role in promoting optimal medication adherence.

Recurrence Risk of Fetal Growth Restriction: Management of Subsequent Pregnancies

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a common obstetric complication that predisposes to mortality across the lifespan. Women with a prior pregnancy affected by FGR have a 20% to 30% risk of recurrence, but effective preventive strategies are lacking. Pharmacologic interventions to prevent FGR are lacking. Low-dose aspirin may be somewhat effective, but low-molecular-weight heparin and sildenafil are not. Surveillance in a subsequent pregnancy may consist of serial ultrasonography with timing and frequency determined by the clinical severity in the index pregnancy. Once FGR is diagnosed, the principal management strategy consists of close surveillance and carefully timed delivery.

Establishment and assessment of a nomogram for predicting adverse outcomes of preterm preeclampsia

Objective

This prospective study was designed to develop and internally validate an accurate prognostic nomogram model with which to predict the adverse outcomes of preterm preeclampsia.

Methods

Pregnant women with preeclampsia were divided into the adverse outcome group and the no adverse outcome group. The Kaplan–Meier method, univariate Cox regression analysis, and calculation of the concordance index (C-index) were applied to predictive evaluation of the nomogram. Calibration curves were drawn to test the nomogram prediction and actual observation of the adverse outcome rate.

Results

After 1000 internal validations of bootstrap resampling, the C-index of the nomogram for predicting adverse outcomes within 48 hours was 0.74 and the cut-off value was 0.53, with a sensitivity of 61.57% and a specificity of 76.93%. The C-index of the nomogram for predicting adverse outcomes within 7 days was 0.76 and the cut-off value was 0.37, with a sensitivity of 58.17% and a specificity of 84.82%. The calibration curves showed good concordance of incidence of adverse outcomes between nomogram prediction and actual observation.

Conclusion

Cox regression has certain guiding significance in preventing and treating adverse outcomes, choosing the time of termination of pregnancy, and improving the prognosis of the mother and child.

Lower blood pressure achieved leads to better pregnant outcomes in non-severe chronic hypertensive pregnant women

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between blood pressure (BP) achieved during pregnancy and pregnant outcomes in non-severe chronic hypertensive women.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective cohort study included pregnant women who diagnosed as non-severe chronic hypertension and delivered in Shanghai Renji Hospital from January 2010 to March 2017. Based on their mean antenatal office diastolic BP (dBP), patients were divided into higher BP achieved (HBPA, dBP ≥ 90 mmHg) group or lower BP achieved (LBPA, dBP < 90 mmHg) group. Primary outcome measurement was the composite of fetal or neonatal mortality and morbidities. Secondary outcomes were the adverse maternal outcomes.

RESULTS

Eligible 305 patients were included, among whom 98 were in HBPA group and 207 were in LBPA group. The HBPA group had significantly higher antenatal dBP [95.0 ± 4.8 vs 81.7 ± 5.6 mmHg, P < 0.001] than the LBPA group. After adjusting for six confounding factors (age, body-mass index (BMI), weeks of gestation at first antenatal visit, dBP measured at first antenatal visit, antihypertensive medication usage during pregnancy, complicating other medical condition), primary outcome [34.7% vs 15.9%, 2.30 (1.23-4.30)] was significantly higher in HBPA group. The incidences of SGA [21.4% vs 11.1%, 2.12 (1.03-4.38)], NICU admission [19.4% vs 6.3%, 3.54 (1.48-8.49)], preeclampsia with severe features [22.4% vs 10.6%, 2.23 (1.10-4.54)], severe hypertension [8.2% vs 0.5%, 15.68 (1.78-138.04)] were higher, and earlier gestational age at delivery [37.1 ± 2.6 vs 37.7 ± 2.1, P = 0.031], lower birthweight [2861.0 ± 780.0 vs 3059.0 ± 616.3, P = 0.029] in the HBPA group.

CONCLUSION

Lower BP achieved during gestation in pregnant women with non-severe chronic hypertension (CH) might improve both fetal/neonatal and maternal outcomes.

Impact of Chronic Hypertension and Antihypertensive Treatment on Adverse Perinatal Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Maternal chronic hypertension is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Previous studies examined the association between either chronic hypertension or antihypertensive treatment and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to synthesize the evidence on the effect of chronic hypertension/antihypertensive treatment on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods and Results Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched; we included observational studies and assessed the effect of race/ethnicity, where possible, following a registered protocol (CRD42019120088). Random-effects meta-analyses were used. A total of 81 studies were identified on chronic hypertension, and a total of 16 studies were identified on antihypertensive treatment. Chronic hypertension was associated with higher odds of preeclampsia (adjusted odd ratio [aOR], 5.43; 95% CI, 3.85-7.65); cesarean section (aOR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.6-2.16); maternal mortality (aOR, 4.80; 95% CI, 3.04-7.58); preterm birth (aOR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.96-2.53); stillbirth (aOR, 2.32; 95% CI, 2.22-2.42); and small for gestational age (SGA) (aOR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.6-2.40). Subgroup analyses indicated that maternal race/ethnicity does not influence the observed associations. Women with chronic hypertension on antihypertensive treatment (versus untreated) had higher odds of SGA (aOR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.38-2.50). Conclusions Chronic hypertension is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and these associations appear to be independent of maternal race/ethnicity. In women with chronic hypertension, those on treatment had a higher risk of SGA, although the number of studies was limited. This could result from a direct effect of the treatment or because severe hypertension during pregnancy is a risk factor for SGA and women with severe hypertension are more likely to be treated. The effect of antihypertensive treatment on SGA needs to be further tested with large randomized controlled trials.