Management of pregnancy blood pressure increase in the emergency room: role of PlGF-based biochemical markers and relative economic impact

Translation of mechanistic advances in preeclampsia to the clinic: Long and winding road

As one of the leading causes of premature birth and maternal and infant mortality worldwide, preeclampsia remains a major unmet public health challenge. Preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are estimated to cause >75 000 maternal and 500 000 infant deaths globally each year. Because of rising rates of risk factors such as obesity, in vitro fertilization and advanced maternal age, the incidence of preeclampsia is going up with rates ranging from 5% to 10% of all pregnancies worldwide. A major discovery in the field was the realization that the clinical phenotypes related to preeclampsia, such as hypertension, proteinuria, and other adverse maternal/fetal events, are due to excess circulating soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1, also referred to as sVEGFR-1). sFlt-1 is an endogenous anti-angiogenic protein that is made by the placenta and acts by neutralizing the pro-angiogenic proteins vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF). During the last decade, this work has spawned a new era of molecular diagnostics for early detection of this condition. Antagonizing sFlt-1 either by reducing production or blocking its actions has shown salutary effects in animal models. Further, in early-stage human studies, the therapeutic removal of sFlt-1 from maternal circulation has shown promise in delaying disease progression and improving outcomes. Recently, the FDA approved the first molecular test for preterm preeclampsia (sFlt-1/PlGF ratio) for clinical use in the United States. Measuring serum sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in the acute hospital setting may aid short-term management, particularly regarding step-up or step-down of care, decision to transfer to settings better equipped to manage both the mother and the preterm neonate, appropriate timing of administration of steroids and magnesium sulfate, and in expectant management decisions. The test itself has the potential to save lives. Furthermore, the availability of a molecular test that correlates with adverse outcomes has set the stage for interventional clinical trials testing treatments for this disorder. In this review, we will discuss the role of circulating sFlt-1 and related factors in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and specifically how this discovery is leading to concrete advances in the care of women with preeclampsia.

Effects of Nifedipine and Labetalol Combined with Magnesium Sulfate on Blood Pressure Control, Blood Coagulation Function, and Maternal and Infant Outcome in Patients with Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

Objective

The purpose is to investigate the influence of nifedipine, labetalol, and magnesium sulfate on blood pressure control, blood coagulation, and maternal and infant outcome in those suffering from pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

Methods

From January 2019 to April 2021, 100 participants with PIH in our center were randomly assigned to a control group and a research group. As a control, nifedipine combined with magnesium sulfate was administered. Nifedipine, labetalol, and magnesium sulfate were administered to the research group. The curative effect, blood pressure level, blood coagulation function, vascular endothelial function, and pregnancy comparisons were made between the two groups.

Results

Based on the results of the study, the effective rate totaled 92.00%, while as for the control group, it was 80.0%, which indicates that there was a statistically significant difference between the effective rates of the research group and that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Blood pressure and blood coagulation function did not differ significantly between the two groups before treatment, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). After treatment, both groups experienced a significant drop in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. After treatment, a higher PT index was found in the research group than in the control group. Likewise, the Fbg, D-D, and PLT were lower compared to those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Neither group had significantly different vascular endothelial function before treatment, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). After treatment, the ET-1 of the two groups decreased, and the level of NO increased. There was a lower ET-1 in the research group than in the control group as well as a higher NO level in the research group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with the pregnancy outcome, in comparison to the controls, the research group had a higher vaginal delivery rate. Significantly, fewer cases of fetal distress, intrauterine asphyxia, and placental abruption were reported in the research group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Nifedipine, in combination with magnesium sulfate and labetalol, is effective at treating PIH, reducing blood pressure, improving blood coagulation, preventing cardiovascular events and vascular endothelial function, and further improve the pregnancy outcome.