National Partnership for Maternal Safety: Consensus Bundle on Severe Hypertension During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Recognizing Early Warning Signs of Acute Hypertensive Crisis of the Postpartum Mother: An Important Role for Neonatal Nurses

A delay in detecting acute hypertensive crisis in postpartum mothers can exacerbate complications in the mother. Neonatal nurses are uniquely qualified to identify postpartum warning signs in mothers while they are in the NICU with their infants. Few research studies have explored the use of neonatal nurse screenings for acute hypertensive crisis in postpartum mothers. NICU nurses screening mothers for postpartum depression has yielded success in improving outcomes, and this model could be translated into screening for acute hypertensive crisis. Further education should be implemented for NICU nurses that include a review of adult blood pressure monitoring, early warning signs, and symptoms of preeclampsia that the mother should report. This article discusses the importance of the neonatal nurse's role in identifying early warning signs of maternal postpartum hypertensive crisis.

Medicaid expansion and risk of eclampsia

BACKGROUND

Eclampsia is an indicator of severe maternal morbidity and can be prevented through increased prenatal care access and early prenatal care utilization. The 2014 Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand Medicaid coverage to nonelderly adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Its implementation has led to a significant increase in prenatal care access and utilization.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the association of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act with eclampsia incidence.

STUDY DESIGN

This natural experiment study was based on US birth certificate data from January 2010 to December 2018 in 16 states that expanded Medicaid in January 2014 and in 13 states that did not expand Medicaid during the study period. The outcome was eclampsia incidence, the intervention was the implementation of the Medicaid expansion, and the exposure was state expansion status. Using the interrupted time series method, we compared temporal trends in the incidence of eclampsia before and after the intervention in expansion vs non-expansion states with adjustments for patient and hospital county characteristics.

RESULTS

Of the 21,570,021 birth certificates analyzed, 11,433,862 (53.0%) were in expansion states and 12,035,159 (55.8%) were in the postintervention period. The diagnosis of eclampsia was recorded in 42,677 birth certificates or 19.8 per 10,000 (95% confidence interval, 19.6-20.0). The incidence of eclampsia was higher for Black people (29.1 per 10,000) than for White (20.7 per 10,000), Hispanic (15.3 per 10,000), and birthing people of other race and ethnicity (15.4 per 10,000). In the expansion states, the incidence of eclampsia increased during the preintervention period and decreased during the postintervention period; in the nonexpansion states, a reverse pattern was observed. A statistically significant difference was observed between expansion and nonexpansion states in temporal trends between the pre- and postintervention periods, with an overall 1.6% decrease (95% confidence interval, 1.3-1.9) in the incidence of eclampsia in expansion states compared with nonexpansion states. The results were consistent in subgroup analyses according to maternal race and ethnicity, education level (less than high school or high school and higher), parity (nulliparous or parous), delivery mode (vaginal or cesarean delivery), and poverty in the residence county (high or low).

CONCLUSION

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion was associated with a small statistically significant reduction in the incidence of eclampsia. Its clinical significance and cost-effectiveness remain to be determined.

Risk factors associated with attendance at postpartum blood pressure follow-up visit in discharged patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate the risk factors for not returning to postpartum blood pressure (BP) follow-up visit at different time points in postpartum discharged hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) patients. Likewise, females with HDP in China should have a BP evaluation continuously for at least 42 days postpartum and have BP, urine routine, and lipid and glucose screening for 3 months postpartum.

METHODS

This study is a prospective cohort study of postpartum discharged HDP patients. Telephone follow-up was conducted at 6 weeks and 12 weeks postpartum, the maternal demographic characteristics, details of labor and delivery, laboratory test results of patients at admission, and adherence to BP follow-up visits postpartum were collected. While logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors associated with not returning to postpartum BP follow-up visit at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after delivery, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the model's predictive value for predicting not returning to postpartum BP visit at each follow-up time point.

RESULTS

In this study, 272 females met the inclusion criteria. 66 (24.26%) and 137 (50.37%) patients did not return for postpartum BP visit at 6 and 12 weeks after delivery. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified education level of high school or below (OR = 3.71; 95% CI = 2.01-6.85; p = 0.000), maximum diastolic BP during pregnancy (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.94-0.99; p = 0.0230)and delivery gestational age (OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.005-1.244; p = 0.040)as independent risk factors in predicting not returning to postpartum BP follow-up visit at 6 weeks postpartum, and education level of high school or below (OR = 3.20; 95% CI = 1.805-5.67; p = 0.000), maximum diastolic BP during pregnancy (OR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.92-0.97; p = 0.000), delivery gestational age (OR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.04-1.24; p = 0.006) and parity (OR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.06-2.51; p = 0.026) as risk factors for not returning to postpartum BP follow-up visit at 12 weeks postpartum. The ROC curve analysis indicated that the logistic regression models had a significant predictive value for identify not returning to BP follow-up visit at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum with the area under the curve (AUC) 0.746 and 0.761, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Attendance at postpartum BP follow-up visit declined with time for postpartum HDP patients after discharge. Education at or below high school, maximum diastolic BP during pregnancy and gestational age at delivery were the common risk factors for not returning for BP follow-up visit at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum in postpartum HDP patients.

Evidence of Nitric Oxide Impairment During Hypertensive Pregnancies

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy complicate up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide, and they can be classified into (1) gestational hypertension, (2) preeclampsia, (3) chronic hypertension and (4) chronic hypertension with preeclampsia. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an essential role in the haemodynamic adaptations observed during pregnancy. It has been shown that the nitric oxide pathway's dysfunction during pregnancy is associated with placental- and vascular-related diseases such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. This review aims to present a brief definition of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and physiological maternal cardiovascular adaptations during pregnancy. We also detail how NO signalling is altered in the (a) systemic vasculature, (b) uterine artery/spiral arteries, (c) implantation and (d) placenta of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. We conclude by summarizing the anti-hypertensive therapy of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy as a specific management strategy.

A Century of Progress and Collaboration Between Obstetric Anesthesiologists, Anesthesia & Analgesia, and the International Anesthesia Research Society

The past century has seen significant advances in the practice of obstetric anesthesiology. This article will review the role of Anesthesia & Analgesia and the International Anesthesia Research Society in contributing to fundamental paradigm shifts in our understanding of obstetric anesthesiology.

Successful implementation of text-based blood pressure monitoring for postpartum hypertension

OBJECTIVES

A clinical trial showed postpartum text-based blood pressure (BP) monitoring is effective in meeting clinical guidelines and reduces racial disparities in postpartum hypertension care. Our objective was to compare clinical outcomes to those from a clinical trial after implementation of the program in a second hospital within our hospital system.

STUDY DESIGN

Comparison of women randomized to text-based BP monitoring in a clinical trial compared to an implementation cohort clinically enrolled in text-based BP monitoring. BP outcomes and postpartum visit were compared in bivariate and multivariable analyses.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

BP ascertainment was defined as at least 1 BP texted during the 10 days of monitoring. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommendation was defined as BP sent on postpartum day 3-4 and again day 7-10.

RESULTS

The implementation cohort had 333 women compared to 103 in the trial cohort. The implementation cohort was older (p < 0.001), and more likely to be non-Black race (p < 0.001), married (<0.001), and have commercial insurance (<0.001). BP ascertainment (95.5% vs. 92.2%, adjusted OR 1.41, [95% CI 0.55, 3.58]) and proportion meeting ACOG recommendations (84.7% vs. 81.6%, adjusted OR 0.89 [95% CI 0.48, 1.64]) were similar between groups. There were no differences in BP ascertainment among Black and non-Black women in the trial or implementation cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Text-based BP monitoring performed similarly in an implementation cohort compared to the trial participants. This program is scalable to manage postpartum hypertension and reduce racial disparities in postpartum care in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: a Comparison of International Guidelines

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP)-gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia-are a leading cause of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes internationally. Prevention, timely diagnosis, and prompt management can reduce associated morbidity. The purpose of this review is to compare international guidelines pertaining to HDP.

RECENT FINDINGS

Fourteen HDP guidelines were compared relative to guidelines for the United States (US) where the authors practice. Aspirin is universally recommended for high-risk women to reduce preeclampsia risk. Recommended dose and gestational age at initiation vary. Diagnoses of chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia in pregnant women are similar, although blood pressure (BP) thresholds for antihypertensive medication initiation and treatment targets vary due to the limitations in high-quality evidence. There are differences among international HDP guidelines related to dose and timing of aspirin initiation, thresholds for antihypertensive medication initiation, and BP targets. However, all guidelines acknowledge the significant morbidity associated with HDP and advocate for timely diagnosis and management to reduce associated morbidity and mortality. More research is needed to understand optimal BP thresholds at which to initiate antihypertensive medication regimens and BP targets in pregnancy.

Changing the conversation: applying a health equity framework to maternal mortality reviews

The risk of maternal death in the United States is higher than peer nations and is rising and varies dramatically by the race and place of residence of the woman. Critical efforts to reduce maternal mortality include patient risk stratification and system-level quality improvement efforts targeting specific aspects of clinical care. These efforts are important for addressing the causes of an individual's risk, but research to date suggests that individual risk factors alone do not adequately explain between-group disparities in pregnancy-related death by race, ethnicity, or geography. The holistic review and multidisciplinary makeup of maternal mortality review committees make them well positioned to fill knowledge gaps about the drivers of racial and geographic inequity in maternal death. However, committees may lack the conceptual framework, contextual data, and evidence base needed to identify community-based contributing factors to death and, when appropriate, to make recommendations for future action. By incorporating a multileveled, theory-grounded framework for causes of health inequity, along with indicators of the community vital signs, the social and community context in which women live, work, and seek health care, maternal mortality review committees may identify novel underlying factors at the community level that enhance understanding of racial and geographic inequity in maternal mortality. By considering evidence-informed community and regional resources and policies for addressing these factors, novel prevention recommendations, including recommendations that extend outside the realm of the formal health care system, may emerge.

Using an Adaptive, Self-Directed Web-Based Learning Module to Enhance Residents' Medical Knowledge Prior to a New Clinical Rotation

BACKGROUND

The effect of self-directed adaptive learning on internal medicine residents' knowledge prior to a new clinical rotation is not known.

METHODS

We developed an adaptive, online, self-directed spaced repetition module and determined the effect on medical knowledge acquisition. We randomized postgraduate year 1 internal medicine residents into two groups. The intervention group (n = 27) received an electronic version of the clinical rotation curriculum as portable document format (PDF) files and participated in the online module, delivered via Moodle, a free, open-source learning management system. The non-intervention group (n = 27) only received the PDF files. All residents participated in a medical knowledge test at baseline and 3 months later.

RESULTS

Both groups were similar at study baseline in terms of age, trainee type, years since graduation, results at United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, 2, In-Training Examination (ITE), and pre-intervention evaluation. There was a statistically significant improvement in scores on the post-intervention medical knowledge assessment for the intervention group when compared with the non-intervention group (24.2 ± 15.4% vs. 8.6 ± 9.9%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

An online, self-directed, adaptive spaced repetition-learning module can offer a simple and effective method to increase the medical knowledge present at the start of residents' clinical rotations.

The PRogram In Support of Moms (PRISM): study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial of two active interventions addressing perinatal depression in obstetric settings

BACKGROUND

Perinatal depression, the most common pregnancy complication, is associated with negative maternal-offspring outcomes. Despite existence of effective treatments, it is under-recognized and under-treated. Professional organizations recommend universal screening, yet multi-level barriers exist to ensuring effective diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Integrating mental health and obstetric care holds significant promise for addressing perinatal depression. The overall study goal is to compare the effectiveness of two active interventions: (1) the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program (MCPAP) for Moms, a state-wide, population-based program, and (2) the PRogram In Support of Moms (PRISM) which includes MCPAP for Moms plus a proactive, multifaceted, practice-level intervention with intensive implementation support.

METHODS

This study is conducted in two phases: (1) a run-in phase which has been completed and involved practice and patient participant recruitment to demonstrate feasibility for the second phase, and (2) a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT), which is ongoing, and will compare two active interventions 1:1 with ten Ob/Gyn practices as the unit of randomization. In phase 1, rates of depressive symptoms and other demographic and clinical features among patients were examined to inform practice randomization. Patient participants to be recruited in phase 2 will be followed longitudinally until 13 months postpartum; they will have 3-5 total study visits depending on whether their initial recruitment and interview was at 4-24 or 32-40 weeks gestation, or 1-3 months postpartum. Sampling throughout pregnancy and postpartum will ensure participants with different depressive symptom onset times. Differences in depression symptomatology and treatment participation will be compared between patient participants by intervention arm.

DISCUSSION

This manuscript describes the full two-phase study protocol. The study design is innovative because it combines effectiveness with implementation research designs and integrates critical components of participatory action research. Our approach assesses the feasibility, acceptance, efficacy, and sustainability of integrating a stepped-care approach to perinatal depression care into ambulatory obstetric settings; an approach that is flexible and can be tailored and adapted to fit unique workflows of real-world practices.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02760004, registered prospectively on May 3, 2016.

Pre-eclampsia through the eyes of the obstetrician and anesthesiologist

Due to the high risk of morbidity and mortality from unrecognized and untreated pre-eclampsia, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion to evaluate, treat and monitor patients presenting with signs concerning for pre-eclampsia. Early blood pressure management and seizure prophylaxis during labor are critical for maternal safety. Intrapartum, special anesthetic considerations should be employed to ensure the safety of the parturient and fetus. Patients who have pre-eclampsia should be aware that they are at high risk for the future development of cardiovascular disease.