Antenatal Problems 2 Flashcards
What happens to BP during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy?
BP decreases early in pregnancy until 24 weeks due to decrease in systemic vascular resistance (due to progesterone)
What happens to BP in pregnancy after 24 weeks?
BP increases after 24 weeks until delivery due to an increase in stroke volume
What happens to BP after delivery?
BP decreases after pregnancy but may peak again 3-4 days post-partum (post-partum HTN)
What is PIH?
> 140/90mmhg in the second half of pregnancy in the absence of proteinuria or other markers of pre-eclampsia
What are those with PIH at an increased risk of developing?
Pre-eclampsia
- Increased risk with earlier onset of HTN
In post-partum HTN, what are symptoms such as epigastric pain, visual disturbances or new onset proteinuria indicative of?
Post-partum pre-eclampsia
What investigations should be done for PIH?
- Urinalysis = look for protein
- Bloods = FBC, U&Es, urate, LFTS, coagulation screen (normal if essential HTN in pregnancy)
- USS - foetal assessment
- Investigate underlying cause
What antihypertensives are safe in pregnancy?
First line:
- Labetalol
Second line:
- Nifedipine
Others:
- Methyldopa
A BP of what in pregnancy is a medical emergency?
> 160/110
If proteinuria develops = super-imposed pre-eclampsia
Which antihypertensives are contraindicated in pregnancy?
ACEi and ARBs = teratogenic
Beta blockers (except labetalol and oxprenolol) and calcium channel blockers (except nifedipine) should be avoided
Methyldopa:
- Dose
- SE
250mg BD up to 1g TDS
SE: depression - postnatally
Nifedipine:
- Dose
- SE
10mg BD up to 30mg TDS
SE: tachycardia, flushing, headache, peripheral oedema
Hydralazine:
- Dose
- SE
25mg TDS up to 75mg QDS
SE: tachycardia, pounding heartbeat, headache, diarrhoea
Labetalol
- Dose
- Avoid when?
100mg BD up to 600mg QDS
IV infusion for severe refractory HTN
Avoid in asthma
ACEi = given when?
Postpartum only as fetotoxic
Captopril safe in breastfeeding
What 3 criteria must be met to diagnose pre-eclampsia?
- Hypertension (>140/90) on 2 occasions at least 4 hours apart
- Significant proteinuria >300mg protein in a 24h urine sample OR >30mg/mmol PCR (urinary protein:creatinine)
- Greater than 20 weeks gestation
What is the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia?
Mechanism poorly understood but the placenta plays a pivotal role
Suboptimal uteroplacental perfusion associated with a maternal inflammatory response and maternal vascular endothelial dysfunction. This leads to vascular hypermermeabiltiy, thrombophilia and HTN, which may compensate for reduced flow in uterine arteries.
Increased vascular resistance = HTN
Increased vascular permeability = proteinuria
Reduced placental blood flow = IUGR and reduced cerebral perfusion