Hypertensive disorders Flashcards
Chronic hypertension
Is hypertension that is present at booking or before 20/40, or if the women is already taking antihypertensive medication
(NICE 2011b)
Eclampsia
Is a convulsive condition associated with pre-eclamspia
NICE 2011b
HELLP syndrome
Haemolysis
Elevated Liver enzymes
Low Platelet count
(NICE 2011b)
Gestational hypertension
Is new hypertension presenting after 20 weeks without significant proteinuria
(NICE 2011b)
Pre-eclampsia
Is new hypertension presenting after 20 weeks with significant proteinuria
(NICE 2011b)
Severe pre-eclampsia
Is pre-eclampsia with severe hypertension and/or with symptoms, and/or biochemical and/or haematological impairment
(NICE 2011b)
Definitions of hypertension
Mild hypertension = diastolic 90-99 mmHg + systolic 140-149 mmHg
Moderate hypertension = diastolic 100-109 mmHg + systolic 150-159 mmHg
Severe hypertension = diastolic 110 mmHg or greater + systolic 160 mmHg or greater
(NICE 2011b)
Mean arterial pressure (MAP)
Is useful as represents the pressure driving the blood through the arteries
MAP = diastolic pressure + 1/3 systolic pressure - diastolic pressure
Incidence of PIH and pre-eclampsia
Pregnancy induced hypertension = 12%
Pre-eclampsia = 3-5%
(Mayes 2012)
How many deaths is pre-eclampsia responsible for?
6 maternal deaths between 2014-2016
MBRRACE 2018
When and why is there a normal drop in blood pressure?
Physiological dilatation of the spiral arterioles in the placental bed occurs, by stripping away their muscle coating. This allows the pooling of blood in the intervillous spaces of the placental bed, creating a shunt, which lowers the maternal blood pressure. This occurs at 16-18 weeks.
(Mayes 2012)
Risks later in life for women who had pre-eclampsia
Increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease
What is the only cure for pre-eclampsia?
Delivering the baby
Care for women who are at high risk of pre-eclampsia
Advise to take 75mg of aspirin daily from 12 weeks until the birth of the baby
Women who are at high risk are those with any of the following …
- Hypertensive disease during a previous pregnancy - Chronic kidney disease - Autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome - Type 1 or 2 diabetes - Chronic hypertension (NICE 2011b)
Advised to take aspirin if there are 2 or more moderate risk factors:
- First pregnancy
- Maternal age over 40
- Pregnancy interval of more
than 10 years - BMI over 35 at booking
- Family history of pre-
eclampsia - Multiple pregnancy
(NICE 2011b)
Symptoms of pre-eclampsia to assess antenatally
- Severe headache
- Problems with vision such
as blurring or flashing
before the eyes - Severe pain just below the
ribs (epigastric pain) - Vomiting
- Sudden swelling of the face,
hands or feet
(NICE 2011b)
Effects of pre-eclampsia on the central nervous system
- Cerebral haemorrhage
- Eclampsia (seizures)
- Cerebral oedema
- Retinal oedema/retinal
blindness
(Mayes 2012)
Effect of pre-eclampsia on the pulmonary system
- Pulmonary oedema
- Laryngeal oedema
(Mayes 2012)
Effect of pre-eclampsia on the renal system
- Cortical necrosis
- Tubular necrosis
(Mayes 2012)
Effect of pre-eclampsia on the liver
- HELLP syndrome
- Hepatic rupture
- Jaundice
(Mayes 2012)