Hypertension Flashcards
What percentage of pregnancies are affected by hypertension?
10-15%
Define hypertension in pregnancy
> 140/90 on 2 occasions
160/110 once
30/15mmHg compared to first trimester BP
Name three types of hypertension in pregnancy
Pre-existing
Pregnancy induced
Pre-eclampsia
What are the secondary causes of hypertension in early pregnancy?
Renal Cardiac Cushing's Conn's Phaeochromocytoma
What are the risk of pre-existing hypertension?
PET
IUGR
Abruption
Describe pregnancy induced hypertension
Second half of pregnancy usually resolves within 6 weeks of delivery
What is the triad of pre-eclampsia?
Hypertension
Proteinuria
Oedema
Define pre-eclampsia
A pregnancy specific multi-system disorder with unpredictable variable and widespread manifestations
Describe the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia
Genetic and environmental factors
Cause defective deep placentation, the injured placenta releases factors into the maternal circulation
State the two stages of pre-eclampsia
Stage 1 - abnormal placental perfusion (ischaemia)
Stage 2 - maternal syndrome
What does abnormal placentation and trophoblast invasion do?
Failure of vascular remodelling
What happens as a result of endothelial activation?
Increased capillary permeability
Increased expression of CAM
Increased prothrombotic factors, platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction
What does HELLP stand for?
Haemolysis Elevated Liver enzymes Low Platelets
How does HELLP syndrome present?
Epigastric/RUQ pain
Abnormal enzymes
Hepatic capsule rupture
What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?
Headache Visual disturbance Epigastric/RUQ pain Nausea, vomiting Rapidly progressive oedema
What are the signs of pre-eclampsia?
Hypertension Proteinuria Oedema Abdominal tenderness Small for gestational age Intra-uterine foetal death Involuntary movements/clonus
Name the investigations done in suspected pre-eclampsia
Urea and electrolytes Serum urate Liver function tests Full blood count Coagulation screen Urine-Protein Creatinine ration Cardiotocography Ultrasound