Pre-Eclampsia Flashcards
What is pre-eclampsia?
A condition in which new onset hypertension develops during pregnancy, leading to end-organ dysfunction
What is the triad of pre-eclampsia?
New-onset hypertension
Proteinuria
Oedema
When does pre-eclampsia occur?
After 20 weeks of gestation
Describe the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia
It occurs when the spiral arterioles of the placenta are invaded by trophoblast cells, reducing placental perfusion
There is also an imbalance between vasodilators and vasoconstrictors in pregnancy, leading to a high vascular resistance in these vessels
What are the five high risk factors of pre-eclampsia?
Previous Gestational Hypertension
Chronic Hypertension
Chronic Kidney Disease
Diabetes Mellitus
Autoimmune Diseases
Which two autoimmune conditions are assoicated with pre-eclampsia?
SLE
Antiphospholipid Antibodies
What are the six moderate risk factors of pre-eclampsia?
Nulliparous
Maternal Age > 40
Pregnancy Interval > 10 Years
BMI > 35
Multiple Pregnancy
Pre-Eclampsia Family History
Which patients receive prophylaxis treatment against pre-eclampsia? What treatment is given?
x1 high risk factor
x2 moderate risk factors
It is recommended that women are prescribed 75mg – 150mg aspirin from 12 weeks gestation until birth
What are the six clinical features of pre-eclampsia?
Headache
Visual Disturbances
Papilloedema
Epigastric Pain
Oedema
Hyper-Reflexia With Clonus
What are the three diagnostic criteria of pre-eclampsia?
Gestational Age
AND
Hypertension
AND
Proteinuria OR Other Organ Dysfunction
What gestational age is required for a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia?
20 weeks
What blood pressure readings are required for a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia?
> 140/90mmHg
What blood pressure reading indicates severe pre-eclampsia?
> 160/110mmHg
What proteinuria level is required for a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia?
> 300mg protein in a 24 hour urine sample
OR
ACR level > 30mg/mmol
What is the most appropriate next step in cases where pre-eclampsia is suspected?
Emergency secondary care assessment
What is the most appropriate next step in cases where severe pre-eclampsia is suspected?
Secondary care admission
How do we conservatively treat pre-eclampsia?
It involves monitoring of the maternal and fetal wellbeing
This can be achieved through regular blood pressure measurements every 48 hours, blood tests weekly, fetal growth scans and cardiotocography