Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy Flashcards

1
Q

Does blood pressure normally change during pregnancy?

A

Yes, falls in the second trimester by about 30/15. By term, blood pressure should be back to pre-pregnant levels.

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2
Q

How does pre-eclampsia cause HTN?

A

Largely due to increase in systemic vascular resistance. Protein excretion in normal pregnancy is increased, but not by much.

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3
Q

How can HTN in pregnancy be classified?

A

Pregnancy-induced HTN and pre-existing or chronic HTN.

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4
Q

What is pregnancy-induced HTN?

A

BP raises above 140/90 after 20 weeks, either transiently or due to PE.

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5
Q

What is preeclampsia (PE)?

A

HTN and proteinuria >0.3g/24h after 20w gestation, often with oedema

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6
Q

What is eclampsia?

A

The occurrence of epileptiform seizures, the most dramatic complication

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7
Q

Are patients with chronic HTN at increased risk of PE?

A

Yes, six fold more risk

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8
Q

What is the pathology of PE?

A

Systemic blood vessel endothelial cell damage, in association with an exaggerated maternal inflammatory response, leading to vasospasm and increased capillary permeability and clotting dysfunction.

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9
Q

What is the course of PE?

A

The disease is progressive, but variable and unpredictable. HTN usually precedes proteinuria.

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10
Q

Is PE more common in nulliparous or multiparous women?

A

It is less common in multiparous women unless additional risk factors at present

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11
Q

Is PE likely to recur?

A

There is a 15% recurrence rate; this is up to 50% if there has been severe pre-eclampsia before 28 weeks

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12
Q

What is mild PE?

A

Proteinuria and mild/moderate HTN

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13
Q

What is moderate PE?

A

Proteinuria and severe HTN (160/110)with no maternal complications

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14
Q

What is severe PE?

A

Proteinuria and any hypertensions <34 weeks or with maternal complications

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15
Q

What are the high risk factors for PE?

A
  1. hypertensive disease in a previous pregnancy
  2. chronic kidney disease
  3. autoimmune disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome
  4. type 1 or type 2 diabetes
  5. chronic hypertension
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16
Q

What is HELLP syndrome?

A

A life-threatening pregnancy complication usually considered to be a variant or complication of pre-eclampsia

17
Q

What are the symptoms of HELLP syndrome?

A

H (haemolysis): dark urine, raised LDH, anaemia
EL (elevated liver enzymes): epigastric pain, liver failure, abnormal clotting
LP (low platelets): normally self-limiting

18
Q

What are the clinical features of PE?

A

Usually asymptomatic, but headache, drowsiness, visual disturbances, nausea/vomiting or epigastric pain may occur

19
Q

What are the maternal complications of PE?

A

Eclampsia; cerebrovascular haemorrhage; liver and coagulation problems (HELLP); renal failure; pulmonary oedema

20
Q

What is the pathology of eclampsia?

A

Generalised tonic clonic seizures, probably resulting from cerebrovascular vasospasm.

21
Q

How does eclampsia cause mortality?

A

It can result from hypoxia and concomitant complications of severe disease

22
Q

How do you treat eclampsia?

A

Magnesium sulphate, and intensive surveillance for other complications

23
Q

How does eclampsia cause cerebrovascular haemorrhage?

A

Failure of cerebral blood flow autoregulation an mean arterial pressures above 140mmHg. Treatment of HTN should prevent this

24
Q

How do you treat HELLP syndrome?

A

Supportive treatment and magnesium sulphate eclampsia prophylaxis. Intensive care treatment is required in severe cases

25
Q

What are the fetal complications of PE?

A

IUGR; preterm birth; placental abruption and hypoxia

26
Q

How do you investigate PE?

A

Exclude urine infection; urine protein:creatinine ratio is used to determine protein levels. Screen for maternal and fetal complications

27
Q

What antihypertensive is recommended in pregnancy for PE?

A

Labetalol

28
Q

How quickly do symptoms occur after proteinuria?

A

As a general rule, one or more fetal or maternal complication is likely to occur within 2 weeks

29
Q

Does PE alter how the baby is delivered?

A

It can be either C section or vaginal if there is no urgency (complications). CTG is used to closely monitor the fetal heartbeat and blood pressure should be monitored during labour

30
Q

What are the pitfalls in treating PE?

A
It is unpredictable
HTN may be absent; watch for proteinuria
LFTs must be performed with epigastric pain
Severe HTN must be treated
HTN treatment may disguise the PE
Excessive fluids causes pulmonary oedema
31
Q

Does PE stop as soon as the baby is delivered?

A

No, it can often take at least 24 hours and may worsen in this time so maternal monitoring needs to continue

32
Q

What are the risk factors for pre-existing HTN?

A

Common in older and obese women with a positive family history or who developed HTN on combined oral contraceptive

33
Q

Does pregnancy often alter pre-existing HTN?

A

HTN usually increases in late pregnancy

34
Q

Are any HTN treatments teratogenic?

A

Yes, ACE inhibitors, use labetalol

35
Q

List 6 moderate risk factors for PE.

A
  1. first pregnancy
  2. age 40 years or older
  3. pregnancy interval of more than 10 years
  4. body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m² or more at first visit
  5. family history of pre-eclampsia
  6. multiple pregnancy