Hypertension in Pregnancy Flashcards
Definitions of Hypertension
> /= 140/90 mmHg on 2 occasions
> 160/110 mmHg once
(ACOG - >30/15 mmHg compared to first trimester BP)
Types of hypertension in pregnancy
Pre-existing
PIH
Pre-eclampsia
Effect of maternal CVS adaptations on BP
Mid trimester dip in BP (slight, not so significant)
Rise in HR (also slight and not too significant)
When is Pre-exisiting HTN diagnosed during pregnancy
Diagnosed prior to pregnancy
May be retrospective diagnosis if BP has not returned to normal within 3 months of delivery
Secondary causes of pre-existing hypertension
Renal/cardiac
Cushing’s
Conn’s
Phaeochromocytoma
What are the risks of pre-existing HTN
PET (x2)
IUGR
Abruption
When is PIH diagnosed?
2nd half of pregnancy
Features of PIH
Resolves within 6/52 of delivery
No proteinuria or other features of pre-eclampsia
Better outcomes than pre-eclampsia
Rate of recurrence is high
What are the features of pre-ecclampsia
3 features (all 3 need not be present to have pre-ecclampsia):
Hypertension
Proteinuria (≥0.3g/l or ≥0.3g/24h)
Oedema
Aetiology of pre eclampsia and the systems it may affect
Diffuse vascular endothelial dysfunction widespread circulatory disturbance
Renal / Hepatic / Cardiovascular / Haematology / CNS / Placenta
2 classifications of pre-eclampsia
Early: <34 wks
- uncommon
- Higher risk of maternal and foetal complications
- Associated with extensive villous and vascular lesions of the placenta
Late
- Common
- minimal placental lesions
- Higher maternal mortality
Pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia
Environmental/ genetic predisposition
Stage 1: Abnormal placental perfusion ( leads to placental ischemia and infarction)
Stage 2: Maternal syndrome as a result of stage 1.
- endothelial changes/dysfunction
Normal placentation vs Pre-eclamptic placentation
Normal:
- cytotrophoblasts invade muscle layer of spiral arteries
- this causes spiral arteries to open up and allows adequate blood flow to foetus
Pre-eclampsia:
- no cytotrophoblast invasion of muscle of spiral arteries
- growth restriction
- hypoxia/ischemia
Presentation of HELLP SYNDROME (subtype of severe pre-eclapmsia)
Epigastric/ RUQ pain
Abnormal liver enzymes
Hepatic capsule rupture
Haemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, Low Platelets
- high morbidity/ mortality
How to identify HELLP syndrome in pre-eclampsia?
LFT and liver enzymes
Placental disease in pre-eclampsia
Fetal growth restriction (FGR)
Placental abruption
Intrauterine death