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American Journal of Obstetrics and... Feb 2022High blood pressure in the postpartum period is most commonly seen in women with antenatal hypertensive disorders, but it can develop de novo in the postpartum time... (Review)
Review
High blood pressure in the postpartum period is most commonly seen in women with antenatal hypertensive disorders, but it can develop de novo in the postpartum time frame. Whether postpartum preeclampsia or eclampsia represents a separate entity from preeclampsia or eclampsia with antepartum onset is unclear. Although definitions vary, the diagnosis of postpartum preeclampsia should be considered in women with new-onset hypertension 48 hours to 6 weeks after delivery. New-onset postpartum preeclampsia is an understudied disease entity with few evidence-based guidelines to guide diagnosis and management. We propose that new-onset hypertension with the presence of any severe features (including severely elevated blood pressure in women with no history of hypertension) be referred to as postpartum preeclampsia after exclusion of other etiologies to facilitate recognition and timely management. Older maternal age, black race, maternal obesity, and cesarean delivery are all associated with a higher risk of postpartum preeclampsia. Most women with delayed-onset postpartum preeclampsia present within the first 7 to 10 days after delivery, most frequently with neurologic symptoms, typically headache. The cornerstones of treatment include the use of antihypertensive agents, magnesium, and diuresis. Postpartum preeclampsia may be associated with a higher risk of maternal morbidity than preeclampsia with antepartum onset, yet it remains an understudied disease process. Future research should focus on the pathophysiology and specific risk factors. A better understanding is imperative for patient care and counseling and anticipatory guidance before hospital discharge and is important for the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality in the postpartum period.
Topics: Anticonvulsants; Antihypertensive Agents; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; Diuresis; Eclampsia; Female; Humans; Magnesium Sulfate; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Puerperal Disorders; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35177218
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.10.027 -
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia E... Sep 2017The authors review hypertensive disease during pregnancy with an academic and practical view, and using the best evidence available. This disease, which is the most... (Review)
Review
The authors review hypertensive disease during pregnancy with an academic and practical view, and using the best evidence available. This disease, which is the most important clinical disease in Brazilian pregnant women, may have its incidence reduced with prevention through the use of calcium and aspirin in pregnant women at risk. Previously, it was a disease that presented with but it has now been classified with new clinical parameters besides proteinuria. Morbidity and mortality should be reduced in a continental country such as Brazil using protocols for the early treatment of complications by calculating severe outcomes in preeclampsia. The early treatment of acute hypertension, use of magnesium sulfate and early hospitalization in cases of preeclampsia are concepts to pursue the reduction of our pregnant women's mortality.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy
PubMed: 28793357
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1604471 -
JAMA Network Open May 2021Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Within-country studies have reported racial differences in the presentation...
IMPORTANCE
Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Within-country studies have reported racial differences in the presentation and outcome, but little is known about differences between countries.
OBJECTIVE
To compare preeclampsia prevalence, risk factors, and pregnancy outcomes between the Swedish and Chinese populations.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This cross-sectional study compared deliveries from the Swedish national Medical Birth Register (2007-2012) and the China Labor and Delivery Survey (2015-2016). The Swedish Medical Birth Register records maternal, pregnancy, and neonatal information for nearly all deliveries in Sweden. The China Labor and Delivery Survey was conducted throughout China, and these data were reweighted to enable national comparisons. Participants included 555 446 deliveries from Sweden and 79 243 deliveries from China. Data management and analysis was conducted from November 2018 to August 2020 and revised in February to March 2021.
EXPOSURES
Maternal characteristics, parity, multiple gestation, chronic and gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Preeclampsia prevalence and risk factors, overall and for mild and severe forms and rates of adverse neonatal outcomes compared with pregnancies with no gestational hypertension.
RESULTS
The 555 446 Swedish pregnancies and 79 243 Chinese pregnancies had mean (SD) maternal age of 30.9 (5.3) years and 28.6 (4.6) years, respectively. The overall prevalence of preeclampsia was similar in Sweden and China, 16 068 (2.9%) and 1803 (2.3%), respectively, but with 5222 cases (32.5%) considered severe in Sweden and 1228 cases (68.1%) considered severe in China. Obesity (defined as BMI ≥28 in China and BMI ≥30 in Sweden) was a stronger risk factor in China compared with Sweden (China: odds ratio [OR], 5.12; 95% CI, 3.82-6.86; Sweden: OR, 3.49; 95% CI, 3.31-3.67). Nulliparity had a much stronger association with severe preeclampsia in Sweden compared with China (Sweden: OR, 3.91; 95% CI, 3.65-4.18; China: OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.20-2.25). The overall stillbirth rate for singleton in China was more than 3-fold higher than in Sweden (846/77 512[1.1%] vs 1753/547 219 [0.3%], P < .001), and 10-fold higher among women with preeclampsia (66/1652 [4.6%] vs 60/14 499[0.4%], P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this study, the prevalence rates of preeclampsia in Sweden and China were similar, but women in China had more severe disease and worse pregnancy outcomes than women in Sweden. The associations of obesity and nulliparity with preeclampsia suggest a role for lifestyle and health care factors but may reflect some differences in pathophysiology. These findings have relevance for current efforts to identify high-risk pregnancies and early serum markers because the value of risk prediction models and biomarkers may be population specific.
Topics: Adult; Asian People; China; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prenatal Care; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sweden; White People
PubMed: 33970258
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.8401 -
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia E... May 2019Pre-eclampsia is a multifactorial and multisystemic disease specific to gestation. It is classically diagnosed by the presence of hypertension associated with... (Review)
Review
Pre-eclampsia is a multifactorial and multisystemic disease specific to gestation. It is classically diagnosed by the presence of hypertension associated with proteinuria manifested in a previously normotensive pregnant woman after the 20 week of gestation. Pre-eclampsia is also considered in the absence of proteinuria if there is target organ damage. The present review takes a general approach focused on aspects of practical interest in the clinical and obstetric care of these women. Thus, it explores the still unknown etiology, current aspects of pathophysiology and of the diagnosis, the approach to disease prediction, its adverse outcomes and prevention. Management is based on general principles, on nonpharmacological and on pharmacological clinical treatment of severe or nonsevere situations with emphasis on the hypertensive crisis and eclampsia. Obstetric management is based on preeclampsia without or with signs of clinical and/or laboratory deterioration, stratification of gestational age in < 24 weeks, between 24 and less than 34 weeks, and ≥ 34 weeks of gestation, and guidance on route of delivery. An immediate puerperium approach and repercussions in the future life of pregnant women who develop preeclampsia is also presented.
Topics: Female; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care
PubMed: 31181585
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1687859 -
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) Jun 2020Preeclampsia is a common pregnancy complication, affecting 2% to 8% of pregnancies worldwide, and is an important cause of both maternal and fetal morbidity and... (Review)
Review
Preeclampsia is a common pregnancy complication, affecting 2% to 8% of pregnancies worldwide, and is an important cause of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Importantly, although aspirin and calcium are able to prevent preeclampsia in some women, there is no cure apart from delivery of the placenta and fetus, often necessitating iatrogenic preterm birth. Preclinical models of preeclampsia are widely used to investigate the causes and consequences of preeclampsia and to evaluate safety and efficacy of potential preventative and therapeutic interventions. In this review, we provide a summary of the published preclinical models of preeclampsia that meet human diagnostic criteria, including the development of maternal hypertension, together with new-onset proteinuria, maternal organ dysfunction, and uteroplacental dysfunction. We then discuss evidence from preclinical models for multiple causal factors of preeclampsia, including those implicated in early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia. Next, we discuss the impact of exposure to a preeclampsia-like environment for later maternal and progeny health. The presence of long-term impairment, particularly cardiovascular outcomes, in mothers and progeny after an experimentally induced preeclampsia-like pregnancy, implies that later onset or reduced severity of preeclampsia will improve later maternal and progeny health. Finally, we summarize published intervention studies in preclinical models and identify gaps in knowledge that we consider should be targets for future research.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy
PubMed: 32248704
DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.14598 -
MedEdPORTAL : the Journal of Teaching... Aug 2019Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. Maternal sequelae that may occur include impaired liver function, disseminated intravascular coagulation, seizures...
INTRODUCTION
Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. Maternal sequelae that may occur include impaired liver function, disseminated intravascular coagulation, seizures (eclampsia), stroke, and death. Thus, providers should know how to recognize (diagnose) and treat pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
METHODS
A simulator with noninvasive blood pressure monitoring was used. Transducers for fetal heart rate and contraction monitoring were placed on the simulator, which represented the patient. After obtaining a history and performing a physical examination, resident physician (postgraduate years 1-4) and nurse learners had to diagnose pre-eclampsia and treat this condition. They also had to treat severe-range blood pressures and manage eclampsia. Learner performance was assessed with a checklist. Debriefing followed the simulation.
RESULTS
Thirty resident learners participated in the study. Nurses did not participate. All resident learners indicated familiarity with the diagnosis and management of pre-eclampsia and emergent hypertension and managed these conditions correctly. All resident learners reported not being confident in managing eclampsia. None of the learners were able to stop the eclamptic seizure. All resident learners were more confident in managing eclampsia after the scenario compared with before (mean confidence level 3.6 ± 0.5 vs. 1.1 ± 0.4, < .001).
DISCUSSION
Resident learners were familiar with the management of pre-eclampsia and emergent hypertension but not with eclampsia. We recommend that eclampsia simulations occur in a laboratory and in situ on the labor and delivery floor with interprofessional team members including obstetricians, nurses, anesthesiologists, emergency and family medicine physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Topics: Anticonvulsants; Blood Pressure Monitors; Clinical Competence; Eclampsia; Educational Measurement; Female; Fetus; Heart Rate, Fetal; Humans; Hypertension; Infusions, Intravenous; Internship and Residency; Magnesium Sulfate; Male; Medical Staff, Hospital; Nursing Staff, Hospital; Patient Simulation; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Transducers; Uterine Contraction
PubMed: 31773060
DOI: 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10832 -
F1000Research 2022: Preeclampsia is a highly prevalent disease among pregnant women. In the event of hypertensive emergency, nifedipine, labetalol, and hydralazine are assigned as... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
: Preeclampsia is a highly prevalent disease among pregnant women. In the event of hypertensive emergency, nifedipine, labetalol, and hydralazine are assigned as first-line therapies in preeclampsia. Further studies are needed to compare the effectiveness of these drugs to find the most cost-effective drug with minimal side effects. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of these drugs in lowering blood pressure during hypertensive emergencies in severe preeclampsia. : 60 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia were recruited in this multiple centre double-blind randomized clinical trial from May 2021 to April 2022 in Indonesia. The patients were divided equally into three groups and treated with three doses of nifedipine, labetalol, and hydralazine, respectively within one hour with 20 minutes interval. The effectiveness was measured based on systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and mean arterial pressure (MAP). The observation was carried out until five hours post-third dose administration. : The blood pressure was reduced significantly after the administration of the first to the third dose of each antihypertensive (p<0.05). A single dose administration, four, one, and three patients had 20% MAP reduction in nifedipine, labetalol, and hydralazine group. Three, seven, and one patient had a failure of reaching 20% MAP reduction even after receiving the third dose. The effectiveness of the drugs to achieve 20% reduction of MAP could be ranked as follows: nifedipine>labetalol>hydralazine (57.49%, 42.13%, and 40.87%, respectively) for single dose and hydralazine>nifedipine>labetalol (111.3%, 85.12%, and 90.04%, respectively) for triple dose. : Nifedipine is the most effective drug to reduce the blood pressure when single dose administration is used, but requires more doses to further reduce the blood pressure. Hydralazine is the most effective when the drug administration is maxed up to three doses within 60 minutes with 20 minutes interval. TCTR20221014007 (14/10/2022).
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Labetalol; Nifedipine; Pre-Eclampsia; Antihypertensive Agents; Hydralazine
PubMed: 37273965
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.125944.2 -
PloS One 2022This trial evaluates whether daily low-dose aspirin initiated before 16 weeks of gestation can reduce preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction in nulliparous women... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Low-dose aspirin to prevent preeclampsia and growth restriction in nulliparous women identified by uterine artery Doppler as at high risk of preeclampsia: A double blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial.
INTRODUCTION
This trial evaluates whether daily low-dose aspirin initiated before 16 weeks of gestation can reduce preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction in nulliparous women identified by first-trimester uterine artery Dopplers as at high risk of preeclampsia.
METHODS
This randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial took place in 17 French obstetric departments providing antenatal care. Pregnant nulliparous women aged ≥ 18 years with a singleton pregnancy at a gestational age < 16 weeks of gestation with a lowest pulsatility index ≥ 1.7 or a bilateral protodiastolic notching for both uterine arteries on an ultrasound performed between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks by a certified sonographer were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to 160 mg of low-dose aspirin or to placebo to be taken daily from inclusion to their 34th week of gestation. The main outcome was preeclampsia or a birthweight ≤ 5th percentile. Other outcomes included preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, preterm preeclampsia, preterm delivery before 34 weeks, mode of delivery, type of anesthesia, birthweight ≤ 5th percentile and perinatal death.
RESULTS
The trial was interrupted due to recruiting difficulties. Between June 2012 and June 2016, 1104 women were randomized, two withdrew consent, and two had terminations of pregnancies. Preeclampsia or a birthweight ≤ 5th percentile occurred in 88 (16.0%) women in the low-dose aspirin group and in 79 (14.4%) in the placebo group (proportion difference 1.6 [-2.6; 5.9] p = 0.45). The two groups did not differ significantly for the secondary outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Low-dose aspirin was not associated with a lower rate of either preeclampsia or birthweight ≤ 5th percentile in women identified by their first-trimester uterine artery Doppler as at high risk of preeclampsia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
(NCT0172946).
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Male; Uterine Artery; Pre-Eclampsia; Birth Weight; Aspirin; Pregnancy Trimester, First
PubMed: 36260615
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275129 -
Current Opinion in Hematology Sep 2021Preeclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy and contributes significantly to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. A protective hypercoagulable state is... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Preeclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy and contributes significantly to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. A protective hypercoagulable state is often developed during late pregnancy and can evolve into a prothrombotic state in patients with preeclampsia. The underlying mechanism of this prothrombotic transition remains poorly understood. We discuss recent progress in understanding the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and associated prothrombotic state.
RECENT FINDINGS
The hypercoagulable state developed during pregnancy is initiated by placental factors and progresses into the prothrombotic state in preeclampsia when the placenta is subjected ischemic and oxidative injuries. The cause of the preeclampsia-induced prothrombotic state is multifactorial, involving not only placental factors but also maternal conditions, which include genetic predisposition, preexisting medical conditions, and conditions acquired during pregnancy. Endotheliopathy is the primary pathology of preeclampsia and contributes to the prothrombotic state by inducing the dysregulation of coagulation, platelets, and adhesive ligands.
SUMMARY
Patients with preeclampsia often develop a severe prothrombotic state that predisposes them to life-threatening thrombosis and thromboembolism during and after pregnancy. Early recognition and treatment of this prothrombotic state can improve maternal and infant outcomes of preeclampsia patients.
Topics: Blood Platelets; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Placenta; Platelet Adhesiveness; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Proteins; Thrombosis
PubMed: 34267080
DOI: 10.1097/MOH.0000000000000678 -
The Journal of Physiology Sep 2019It is generally accepted today that there are two different types of preeclampsia: an early-onset or placental type and a late-onset or maternal type. In the latent... (Review)
Review
It is generally accepted today that there are two different types of preeclampsia: an early-onset or placental type and a late-onset or maternal type. In the latent phase, the first one presents with a low output/high resistance circulation eventually leading in the late second or early third trimester to an intense and acutely aggravating systemic disorder with an important impact on maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity; the other type presents initially as a high volume/low resistance circulation, gradually evolving to a state of circulatory decompensation usually in the later stages of pregnancy, with a less severe impact on maternal and neonatal outcome. For both processes, numerous dysfunctions of the heart, kidneys, arteries, veins and interconnecting systems are reported, most of them presenting earlier and more severely in early- than in late-onset preeclampsia; however, some very specific dysfunctions exist for either type. Experimental, clinical and epidemiological observations before, during and after pregnancy are consistent with gestation-induced worsening of subclinical pre-existing chronic cardiovascular dysfunction in early-onset preeclampsia, and thus sharing the pathophysiology of cardiorenal syndrome type II, and with acute volume overload decompensation of the maternal circulation in late-onset preeclampsia, thus sharing the pathophysiology of cardiorenal syndrome type 1. Cardiorenal syndrome type V is consistent with the process of preeclampsia superimposed upon clinical cardiovascular and/or renal disease, alone or as part of a systemic disorder. This review focuses on the specific differences in haemodynamic dysfunctions between the two types of preeclampsia, with special emphasis on the interorgan interactions between heart and kidneys, introducing the theoretical concept that the pathophysiological processes of preeclampsia can be regarded as the gestational manifestations of cardiorenal syndromes.
Topics: Cardio-Renal Syndrome; Female; Gestational Age; Hemodynamics; Humans; Placenta; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third
PubMed: 31343740
DOI: 10.1113/JP274893