Section 3: Obstetrics 3 Flashcards
Hypertension (BP ≥ 140/ 90 mm Hg) during pregnancy can be classified as chronic hypertension or gestational hypertension. Both types of hypertension predispose the mother and the fetus to more serious conditions
List the differential diagnosis of hypertension that is accompanied by signs and symptoms of end-organ damage or neurological sequelae
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12867-12887). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
- Preeclampsia
- Eclampsia
- HELLP syndrome
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12867-12887). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Warning signs of maternal jeopardy in HTN in pregnancy
- Hallmark symptoms:
- Headache
- Epigastric pain
- Changes in vision
- Signs:
- Pulmonary edema
- Oliguria (Peripheral edema is not a warning sign.)
- Labs:
- Thrombocytopenia
- Elevated liver enzymes
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12867-12887). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Risk of sustained maternal HTN on the fetus
IUGR
Hypoxia
Abruptio placenta
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12888-12906). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Define:
Chronic HTN
Gestational HTN
Preeclampsia
Mild preeclampsia
Severe preeclampsia
Chronic hypertension is the diagnosis when there is a history of elevated blood pressure before pregnancy or before 20 weeks’ gestation
Gestational hypertension is the diagnosis when blood pressure develops after 20 weeks’ gestation and returns to normal baseline by 6 weeks post-partum. It occurs more commonly in multifetal pregnancy
Preeclampsia is the diagnosis when there is proteinuria and/ or presence of “warning signs.”
Mild preeclampsia is indicated with:
- Sustained BP elevation > 140/ 90 mm Hg
- Proteinuria of 1– 2 + (on dipstick) or > 300 mg (on a 24-hour urine)
Severe preeclampsia is indicated by mild preeclampsia plus one of the following:
- Sustained BP elevation > 160/110 mm Hg
- Proteinuria of 3– 4 + (on dipstick) or > 5 g (on 24-hour urine)
- Presence of “warning signs”
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12888-12906). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
List the risk factors for preeclampsia
- Primiparas are most at risk.
- Multiple gestation
- Hydatidi-form mole
- Diabetes mellitus
- Age extremes
- Chronic hypertension
- Chronic renal disease
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12906-12927). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
A 19-year-old primigravida presents at 32 weeks’ gestation for routine follow-up. She denies headache, epigastric pain, or visual disturbances. She has gained 2 pounds since her last visit 2 weeks ago. On examination, her blood pressure is 155/ 95, which is persistent on repeat BP check 10 minutes later. She has only trace pedal edema. Which of the following is the next step in management?
a. Begin methyldopa
b. Begin labetalol
c. Perform an electrocardiogram
d. Perform a fetal ultrasound
e. Perform urinalysis
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12906-12927). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
E. Always rule out preeclampsia in a hypertensive pregnant patient. Even if she is asymptomatic, proteinuria indicates preeclampsia and a worse prognosis
** Seizure disorder is not a risk factor for eclampsia.**
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12906-12927). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Define:
Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia
Eclampsia
HELLP
Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia is the diagnosis when there is chronic hypertension with increasingly severe hypertension, proteinuria, and/ or “warning signs.”
Eclampsia is the diagnosis when the case describes unexplained grand mal seizures in a hypertensive and/ or proteinuric pregnant woman in the last half of pregnancy. Patients present with same signs and symptoms as in pre-eclampsia with the addition of unexplained tonic-clonic seizures. Seizures from severe diffuse cerebral vasospasm cause cerebral perfusion deficits and edema.
HELLP syndrome is the diagnosis when there is hemolysis (H), elevated liver (EL) enzymes, and low platelets (LP).
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12906-12927). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Outline the diagnostic tests to be done in HTN in pregnancy
- CBC
- ↑ hemoglobin, ↑ hematocrit
- Chem-12 panel
- ↑ blood urea nitrogen (BUN), ↑ serum creatinine, and ↑ serum uric acid
- Coagulation panel
- DIC, elevated liver enzymes (severe preeclampsia)
- Urinalysis with urinary protein
- Proteinuria
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12927-12946). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Rx of HTN in pregnancy
Blood pressure control
The only definitive cure is delivery and removal of all fetal-placental tissue
Blood pressure control:
- Don’t treat unless BP > 160/ 100 mm Hg (antihypertensives decrease uteroplacental blood flow)
- Goal SBP is 140– 150 mm Hg and DBP is 90– 100 mm Hg
- Maintenance therapy:
- First line therapy is methyldopa
- Second line therapy is β-blockers (labetalol, atenolol). Watch out for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which is associated with β-blocker use in pregnancy
- Acutely elevated BP/ treatment of severe preeclampsia or eclampsia:
- Intravenous hydralazine or labetalol
- Never give ACE inhibitors or start thiazide diuretics during pregnancy
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12947-12974). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
**HTN in pregnancy **
Seizure management and prophylaxis
Monitoring
Seizure management and prophylaxis:
- Protect the patient’s airway and tongue
- Give IV MgSO4 (magnesium sulfate) bolus for seizure and infusion for continued prophylaxis
Monitoring:
- Serial sonograms (evaluate for intrauterine growth restriction [IUGR])
- Serial BP monitoring and urine protein
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12947-12974). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
HTN in pregnancy
Mgnt of labor
- Induce labor if ≥ 36 weeks with mild preeclampsia: attempt vaginal delivery with IV oxytocin if mother and fetus are stable
- Aggressive, prompt delivery is the best step for severe/ superimposed pre-eclampsia or eclampsia at any gestational age
- Give intrapartum IV MgSO4 and hydralazine and/ or labetalol to manage BP
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12947-12974). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
A 32-year-old multigravida at 36 weeks’ gestation was found to have BP 160/ 105 on routine prenatal visit. Previous BP readings were normal. She complained of some right-upper-quadrant abdominal pain. Urinalysis showed 3 + proteinuria. She is emergently induced for labor and delivers an 8 lb. 3 oz. boy. Two days after delivery, routine labs reveal elevated total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Platelet count is 85,000. Postpartum evaluation reveals that she has no complaints of headache or visual changes. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
a. Cholecystitis
b. HELLP syndrome
c. Hepatitis
d. Gestational thrombocytopenia
e. Preeclampsia
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12974-12995). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
B. Patient has evidence of hemolysis (elevated LDH), elevated liver enzymes, and thrombocytopenia
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12974-12995). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
List the features of gestational thrombocytopenia
- Most common cause of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy
- Mild: Counts > 70,000
- Not associated with other abnormalities, and no symptoms
- Usually develops in third trimester
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12974-12995). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
HELLP syndrome occurs in 5– 10 percent of preeclamptic patients. It typically presents in the third trimester but may occur in the postpartum period,commonly presenting 2 days after delivery. Risk factors differ from preeclampsia, since HELLP syndrome is more common in whites, multigravids, and women of older maternal age.
Outline the treatment
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12996-13007). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
- Schedule immediate delivery at any gestational age
- Give IV corticosteroids (dexamethasone) when platelets < 100,000/mm3 both antepartum and postpartum; continue until platelet count is > 100,000/mm3 and liver function normalizes
- Give platelet transfusion if platelet count < 20,000/mm3 or platelet count < 50,000/mm3 if cesarean section will be performed
- IV MgSO4 for seizure prophylaxis, even if BP is normal
- Steroids may also need to be considered for assistance with fetal lung maturation if prior to 36 weeks
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12996-13007). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.
List the complications of HELLP syndrome
- DIC
- Abruptio placenta
- Fetal demise
- Ascites
- Hepatic rupture
Fischer, Conrad (2012-09-22). Master the Boards: USMLE Step 3 (Kaplan Medical Usmle Master the Boards Step 3) (Kindle Locations 12996-13007). Kaplan Publishing. Kindle Edition.