Care plan for individuals at risk for preeclampsia: shared approach to education, strategies for prevention, surveillance, and follow-up.

Preeclampsia is a multisystemic disorder of pregnancy that affects 250,000 pregnant individuals in the United States and approximately 10 million worldwide per annum. Preeclampsia is associated with substantial immediate morbidity and mortality but also long-term morbidity for both mother and offspring. It is now clearly established that a low dose of aspirin given daily, beginning early in pregnancy modestly reduces the occurrence of preeclampsia. Low-dose aspirin seems safe, but because there is a paucity of information about long-term effects on the infant, it is not recommended for all pregnant individuals. Thus, several expert groups have identified clinical factors that indicate sufficient risk to recommend low-dose aspirin preventive therapy. These risk factors may be complemented by biochemical and/or biophysical tests that either indicate increased probability of preeclampsia in individuals with clinical risk factors, or more importantly, identify increased likelihood in those without other evident risk. In addition, the opportunity exists to provide this population with additional care that may prevent or mitigate the short- and long-term effects of preeclampsia. Patient and provider education, increased surveillance, behavioral modification, and other approaches to improve outcomes in these individuals can improve the chance of a healthy outcome. We assembled a group with diverse, relevant expertise (clinicians, investigators, advocates, and public and private stakeholders) to develop a care plan in which providers and pregnant individuals at risk can work together to reduce the risk of preeclampsia and associated morbidities. The plan is for care of individuals at moderate to high risk for developing preeclampsia, sufficient to receive low-dose aspirin therapy, as identified by clinical and/or laboratory findings. The recommendations are presented using the GRADE methodology with the quality of evidence upon which each is based. In addition, printable appendices with concise summaries of the care plan's recommendations for patients and healthcare providers are provided. We believe that this shared approach to care will facilitate prevention of preeclampsia and its attendant short- and long-term morbidity in patients identified as at risk for development of this disorder.

Maternal Sepsis: A Review of National and International Guidelines.

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome caused by the body's response to infection. The Global Maternal Sepsis Study (GLOSS) suggests sepsis plays a larger role in maternal morbidity and mortality than previously thought. We therefore sought to compare national and international guidelines for maternal sepsis to determine their consistency with each other and the Third International Consensus for Sepsis and Septic Shock (SEPSIS-3). Using Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, Google Scholar, and organization Web sites, we identified seven guidelines on maternal sepsis in the English language-The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and World Health Organization. Guidelines were reviewed to ascertain the commonality and variation, if any, in definitions of maternal sepsis, tools and criteria utilized for diagnosis, obstetric warning systems used, as well as evaluation and management of maternal sepsis. These variables were also compared with SEPSIS-3. All guidelines provided definitions consistent with a version of the SEPSIS, although the specific version utilized were varied. Clinical variables and tools employed for diagnosis of maternal sepsis were also varied. Evaluation and management of maternal sepsis and septic shock were similar. In conclusion, national and international maternal sepsis guidelines were incongruent with each other and SEPSIS-3 in diagnostic criteria and tools but similar in evaluation and management recommendations. KEY POINTS: · Definitions for maternal sepsis and septic shock are varied.. · Maternal sepsis guidelines differ in proposed criteria and tools.. · Maternal sepsis guidelines have similar management recommendations..

Gestational hypertension and "severe" disease: time for a change.

Our understanding and management of gestational hypertension and its variants are substantially hindered by a reliance on antiquated terminology and on practice recommendations based largely on tradition rather than outcomes-based evidence. Unsurprisingly, gestational hypertension remains a major contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates, with little improvement seen over the past half century except as it relates to better newborn care. Reliance on a binary classification of vastly disparate types and degrees of organ dysfunction (severe or not severe) and the use of nonphysiological and largely arbitrary gestational age cutoffs are particularly problematic. If this situation is to improve, it will be necessary to abandon current misleading terminology and non-evidence-based traditional practice patterns and start again, building on management approaches validated by outcomes-based data.

Development of the Sepsis-Associated Adverse Outcomes in Pregnancy Score.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a scoring system-called the Sepsis-Associated Adverse Outcomes in Pregnancy (SAAP) Score-to identify individuals with maternal infection that have composite maternal adverse outcomes (CMAO). STUDY DESIGN: Using the International Classification of Disease codes, we identified pregnant and postpartum (up to 6 weeks after birth) individuals admitted at our center with a primary diagnosis of infection. The primary outcome was CMAO which included any of the following: maternal intensive care unit admission, surgical intervention, vasopressor use, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary edema, mechanical ventilation, high-flow nasal cannula, disseminated intravascular coagulation, dialysis, organ failure, venous thromboembolism, or maternal death. Regularized logistic regression was used to identify variables that best discriminate CMAO status. Variables were chosen for inclusion following evaluation of statistical and clinical significance. Model performance was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. RESULTS: Of the 23,235 deliveries during the study period, 227 (0.9%) individuals met inclusion criteria and among them CMAO occurred in 39.2% (95% CI: 33.1-45.7%). The SAAP score consisted of six variables (white blood cell count, systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, lactic acid, and abnormal diagnostic imaging) with scores ranging from 0 to 11 and a score of ≥7 being abnormal. An abnormal SAAP score had an AUC of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.74-0.86) for CMAO. The sensitivity and specificity of the SAAP score for CMAO was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.60-0.80) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.64-0.80), respectively. The positive predictive value was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.52-0.72) and negative predictive value was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.86). CONCLUSION: Pending external validation, the sixth variable SAAP score may permit early recognition of pregnant and postpartum individuals with infection who are likely to develop adverse maternal outcomes. KEY POINTS: · Sepsis is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality.. · Early recognition improves maternal sepsis outcomes.. · The SAAP score may permit early recognition of maternal adverse outcomes due to infection..

Clinical findings predictive of maternal adverse outcomes with pyelonephritis.

BACKGROUND: Pyelonephritis, a leading cause of infection during pregnancy, is associated with increased maternal adverse outcomes. Therefore, early recognition and intervention of pyelonephritis are important. Early recognition of pyelonephritis has historically been dependent on fever and costovertebral angle tenderness. However, the reliability of these findings to distinguish women who will develop maternal adverse outcomes is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify clinical variables on presentation that are predictive of maternal adverse outcomes associated with pyelonephritis during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of pregnant women admitted with pyelonephritis at a single hospital from October 1, 2015, to July 31, 2021, was conducted. The primary outcome was a composite maternal adverse outcome consisting of any of the following: maternal intensive care unit admission, surgical intervention, hypotension requiring vasopressors, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary edema, mechanical ventilation, high-flow nasal cannula, disseminated intravascular coagulation, altered mental status, dialysis, organ failure, venous thromboembolism, or maternal death. Differences in maternal characteristics and clinical signs and symptoms on admission were stratified by the presence or absence of a maternal adverse outcome. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Fisher exact test. Continuous data were analyzed with Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Sensitivity and specificity and likelihood ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the detection of maternal adverse outcomes by specified admission physical examination and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Of 97 women that met the inclusion criteria, 28 (28.9%) had maternal adverse outcomes. Moreover, 50 of 97 women (51.5%) had fever on presentation, with no difference between cohorts recognized. Admission vital signs were not significantly different between cohorts. Costovertebral angle tenderness was present in 78 of 97 women (80.4%) on presentation, with no difference between cohorts. Compared with women without a maternal adverse outcome, women with maternal adverse outcomes were more likely to have leukocytosis (18/28 [64.3%] vs 20/69 [29.0%]), thrombocytosis (3/28 [10.7%] vs 5/69 [7.2%]), bandemia (8/28 [28.6%] vs 7/69 [10.1%]), and an abnormal serum potassium (20/28 [71.4%] vs 32/63 [50.8%]). CONCLUSION: Admission vital signs may not reliably identify women with pyelonephritis at risk of maternal adverse outcomes. Laboratory studies, particularly a complete blood count and electrolytes, may provide a means of distinguishing those at risk of maternal adverse outcomes.

Reloadable Stapler Use during Peripartum Hysterectomy for Placenta Accreta Spectrum: A Novel Surgical Technique and Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe a novel surgical technique for the management of antenatally suspected placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective, case series of patients with suspected PAS undergoing peripartum hysterectomy with a reloadable articulating stapler at a tertiary care center. RESULTS: Eighteen patients with antenatally suspected PAS were identified and underwent peripartum hysterectomy with the aid of a reloadable stapler. Mean gestational age at delivery was 344/7 ± 11/7 weeks. Mean total operative time (skin-to-skin) was 117.3 ± 39.3 minutes, and 79.8 ± 19.8 minutes for the hysterectomy. Mean blood loss for the entire case was 1,809 ± 868 mL. Mean blood loss for the hysterectomy was 431 ± 421 mL. Mean units of intraoperative red blood cells transfused was 3 ± 1 units. Mean units of postoperative red blood cells transfused was 1 ± 0.5 units. Five cases were complicated by urological injury (two intentional cystotomies). Four patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for a mean of ≤24 hours. Mean postoperative LOS was 4.11 ± 1.45 days. Three patients had final pathology that did not demonstrate PAS while four were consistent with accreta, six increta, and five percreta. CONCLUSION: Use of a reloadable articulating stapler device as part of the surgical management of antenatally suspected PAS results in a shorter operative time (117 ± 39 minutes vs. 140-254 minutes previously reported), lower average blood loss (1,809 ± 868 mL vs. 2,500-5,000 mL previously reported) and shorter LOS (4.11 ± 1.45 days vs. 9.8 ± 13.5 days previously reported) compared with traditional cesarean hysterectomy. The reloadable stapling device offers an advantage of more rapidly achieving hemostasis in the surgical management of PAS. KEY POINTS: · PAS is associated with severe maternal morbidity.. · Decreased operative time and blood loss have many clinical benefits.. · Reloadable stapler use for PAS decreases operative time.. · Reloadable stapler use for PAS decreases operative blood loss..

A Proposed Plan for Prenatal Care to Minimize Risks of COVID-19 to Patients and Providers: Focus on Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy.

Hypertensive disorders are the most common medical complications of pregnancy and a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and death. The detection of elevated blood pressure during pregnancy is one of the cardinal aspects of optimal antenatal care. With the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the risk for person-to-person spread of the virus, there is a desire to minimize unnecessary visits to health care facilities. Women should be classified as low risk or high risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and adjustments can be accordingly made in the frequency of maternal and fetal surveillance. During this pandemic, all pregnant women should be encouraged to obtain a sphygmomanometer. Patients monitored for hypertension as an outpatient should receive written instructions on the important signs and symptoms of disease progression and provided contact information to report the development of any concern for change in status. As the clinical management of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia is the same, assessment of urinary protein is unnecessary in the management once a diagnosis of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy is made. Pregnant women with suspected hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and signs and symptoms associated with the severe end of the disease spectrum (e.g., headaches, visual symptoms, epigastric pain, and pulmonary edema) should have an evaluation including complete blood count, serum creatinine level, and liver transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase). Further, if there is any evidence of disease progression or if acute severe hypertension develops, prompt hospitalization is suggested. Current guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) for management of preeclampsia with severe features suggest delivery after 34 0/7 weeks of gestation. With the outbreak of COVID-19, however, adjustments to this algorithm should be considered including delivery by 30 0/7 weeks of gestation in the setting of preeclampsia with severe features. KEY POINTS: · Outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) warrants fewer office visits.. · Women should be classified for hypertension risk in pregnancy.. · Earlier delivery suggested with COVID-19 and hypertensive disorder..

General Guidelines in the Management of an Obstetrical Patient on the Labor and Delivery Unit during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory tract infection that was first identified in China. Since its emergence in December 2019, the virus has rapidly spread, transcending geographic barriers. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have declared COVID-19 as a public health crisis. Data regarding COVID-19 in pregnancy is limited, consisting of case reports and small cohort studies. However, obstetric patients are not immune from the current COVID-19 pandemic, and obstetric care will inevitably be impacted by the current epidemic. As such, clinical protocols and practice on labor and delivery units must adapt to optimize the safety of patients and health care workers and to better conserve health care resources. In this commentary, we provide suggestions to meet these goals without impacting maternal or neonatal outcomes. KEY POINTS: • Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic.• COVID-19 impacts care of obstetric patients.• Health care should be adapted for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Placental Growth Factor and the Risk of Adverse Neonatal and Maternal Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether abnormal plasma placental growth factor (PlGF) level is associated with adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the Preeclampsia Triage by Rapid Assay Trial (PETRA), a prospective, multicenter, observational study that enrolled women with suspected preeclampsia. Our analysis included women age 18-45 years with a singleton pregnancy between 20 and 41 weeks of gestation. Plasma collected at enrollment was used for PlGF measurement. Abnormal PlGF was defined as low (100 pg/mL or less) or very low (less than 12 pg/mL). The primary outcomes were composite adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes. We used multivariable Poisson regression models to examine the association between PlGF and outcomes. RESULTS: Of 1,112 women who met the inclusion criteria, plasma PlGF was low in 742 (67%) and very low in 353 (32%). In the cohort, the overall rates of the composite adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes were 6.4% and 4.8%, respectively. Compared with normal PlGF (more than 100 pg/mL), low PlGF was significantly associated with an increased risk of the composite neonatal outcome (9.2% vs 0.8%; adjusted relative risk [aRR] 17.2, 95% CI 5.2-56.3), and the composite maternal outcome (6.2% vs 1.9%; aRR 3.6, 95% CI 1.7-8.0). Very low PlGF was also significantly associated with both neonatal and maternal outcomes. The sensitivity and specificity of low PlGF were 95.8% and 35.3%, respectively, for the composite neonatal outcome, and 86.8% and 34.3% for the composite maternal outcome. Although the positive predictive values were low (9.2% and 6.2%, respectively), the negative predictive value of low PlGF for neonatal and maternal outcomes was 99.2% and 98.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Among women being evaluated for preeclampsia, those with abnormal PlGF are significantly more likely to experience adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes. These outcomes occur infrequently when the PlGF is normal. These findings suggest that PlGF may be useful for risk stratification of women with suspected preeclampsia. FUNDING SOURCE: No funding was received for this study. The original PETRA study was supported by funding from Alere.

Placental growth factor predicts time to delivery in women with signs or symptoms of early preterm preeclampsia: a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: There is a robust association between altered angiogenic factor concentrations, which includes placental growth factor and clinically recognized preeclampsia. Alterations in concentrations of angiogenic factors precede the clinical onset of preeclampsia by several weeks. The temporal relationship between the measured angiogenic factors and the time to delivery in women with suspected preeclampsia at <35 weeks gestation, however, remains to be clarified. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to examine the relationship between placental growth factor and time to delivery in women at <35 weeks gestation with signs or symptoms of preeclampsia and to compare the performance of placental growth factor to other clinical markers for prediction of time to delivery in preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Women with signs or symptoms of preeclampsia between 20.0 and 35.0 weeks gestation were enrolled in a prospective, observational study at 24 centers. Blood was collected at presentation for placental growth factor, and subjects were evaluated and treated according to local protocols. Clinical outcomes were obtained, and all final diagnoses were adjudicated by an independent expert panel according to 2013 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Hypertension in Pregnancy criteria. Placental growth factor was measured retrospectively on the Alere, Inc, triage platform. A normal placental growth factor was defined as >100 pg/mL; the assay's limit of detection is 12 pg/mL. Two-by-2 tables were constructed for comparison of test outcomes that included negative predictive value; time-to-delivery was analyzed by survival curves and Cox regression. RESULTS: Seven hundred fifty-three subjects were enrolled; 538 (71%) had a final diagnosis of preeclampsia; 542 (72%) delivered at <37 weeks gestation, and 358 (47%) delivered at <34 weeks gestation. Among the 279 women (37%) with a normal placental growth factor at presentation, the negative predictive value for preeclampsia delivered within 14 days or within 7 days was 90% and 93%, respectively. Compared with women with normal placental growth factor, women with placental growth factor ≤100 pg/mL have a hazard ratio of 7.17 (confidence interval, 5.08-10.13) in Cox regression for time to delivery after adjustment for both gestational age at enrollment and the final diagnosis of preeclampsia. The placental growth factor levels of normal (>100 pg/mL), low (12-100 pg/mL), and very low (<12 pg/mL) have well-separated distributions of time to delivery, with median values of 45, 10, and 2 days, respectively. Subjects with placental growth factor ≤100 pg/mL have a perinatal death rate of 5.7% and a small-for-gestational-age rate of 51.7%; subjects with placental growth factor >100 pg/mL have a perinatal death rate of 0% (no observations in this cohort) and an a small-for-gestational-age rate of 16.8%. CONCLUSION: In women with suspected preeclampsia at <35.0 weeks gestation, a low placental growth factor was correlated strongly with preterm delivery independent of a diagnosis of preeclampsia or gestational age at presentation, whereas a normal placental growth factor was associated with pregnancy prolongation, even in patients who ultimately had a final diagnosis of preeclampsia. This suggests that placental growth factor levels are superior to clinical markers in the prediction of adverse pregnancy in women with suspected preeclampsia.

National Partnership for Maternal Safety: Consensus Bundle on Severe Hypertension During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period.

Complications arising from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading causes of preventable severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Timely and appropriate treatment has the potential to significantly reduce hypertension-related complications. To assist health care providers in achieving this goal, this patient safety bundle provides guidance to coordinate and standardize the care provided to women with severe hypertension during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This is one of several patient safety bundles developed by multidisciplinary work groups of the National Partnership for Maternal Safety under the guidance of the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care. These safety bundles outline critical clinical practices that should be implemented in every maternity care setting. Similar to other bundles that have been developed and promoted by the Partnership, the hypertension safety bundle is organized into four domains: Readiness, Recognition and Prevention, Response, and Reporting and Systems Learning. Although the bundle components may be adapted to meet the resources available in individual facilities, standardization within an institution is strongly encouraged. This commentary provides information to assist with bundle implementation.

National Partnership for Maternal Safety: Consensus Bundle on Severe Hypertension During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period.

Complications arising from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading causes of preventable severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Timely and appropriate treatment has the potential to significantly reduce hypertension-related complications. To assist health care providers in achieving this goal, this patient safety bundle provides guidance to coordinate and standardize the care provided to women with severe hypertension during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This is one of several patient safety bundles developed by multidisciplinary work groups of the National Partnership for Maternal Safety under the guidance of the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care. These safety bundles outline critical clinical practices that should be implemented in every maternity care setting. Similar to other bundles that have been developed and promoted by the Partnership, the hypertension safety bundle is organized into four domains: Readiness, Recognition and Prevention, Response, and Reporting and Systems Learning. Although the bundle components may be adapted to meet the resources available in individual facilities, standardization within an institution is strongly encouraged. This commentary provides information to assist with bundle implementation.

Consensus Bundle on Severe Hypertension During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period.

Complications arising from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading causes of preventable severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Timely and appropriate treatment has the potential to significantly reduce hypertension-related complications. To assist health care providers in achieving this goal, this patient safety bundle provides guidance to coordinate and standardize the care provided to women with severe hypertension during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This is one of several patient safety bundles developed by multidisciplinary work groups of the National Partnership for Maternal Safety under the guidance of the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care. These safety bundles outline critical clinical practices that should be implemented in every maternity care setting. Similar to other bundles that have been developed and promoted by the Partnership, the hypertension safety bundle is organized into four domains: Readiness, Recognition and Prevention, Response, and Reporting and Systems Learning. Although the bundle components may be adapted to meet the resources available in individual facilities, standardization within an institution is strongly encouraged. This commentary provides information to assist with bundle implementation.

Consensus Bundle on Severe Hypertension During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period.

Complications arising from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading causes of preventable severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Timely and appropriate treatment has the potential to significantly reduce hypertension-related complications. To assist health care providers in achieving this goal, this patient safety bundle provides guidance to coordinate and standardize the care provided to women with severe hypertension during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This is one of several patient safety bundles developed by multidisciplinary work groups of the National Partnership for Maternal Safety under the guidance of the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care. These safety bundles outline critical clinical practices that should be implemented in every maternity care setting. Similar to other bundles that have been developed and promoted by the Partnership, the hypertension safety bundle is organized into four domains: Readiness, Recognition and Prevention, Response, and Reporting and Systems Learning. Although the bundle components may be adapted to meet the resources available in individual facilities, standardization within an institution is strongly encouraged. This commentary provides information to assist with bundle implementation.

Massive Urinary Protein Excretion Associated with Greater Neonatal Risk in Preeclampsia.

Objective The objective of this study was to compare clinical outcomes of preeclamptic pregnancies according to the proteinuria level. Study Design Secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study of women with preeclampsia (PE) symptomatology. Nonproteinuria, mild-proteinuria, and massive-proteinuria PEs were defined as: < 165 mg in 12 hours or < 300 mg in 24 hours, 165 mg to 2.69 g in 12 hours or 300 mg to 4.99 g in 24 hours, and ≥ 2.7 g in 12 hours or ≥ 5.0 g in 24 hours, respectively. Individual and composite maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes were compared among the PE groups. Results Of the 406 analyzed pregnancies, 36 (8.8%) had massive-proteinuria PE, 268 (66.0%) mild-proteinuria PE, and 102 (25.1%) nonproteinuria PE. Compared with the other groups, massive-proteinuria PE women had significantly higher blood pressures (p < 0.001), epigastric pain (p = 0.007), and uric acid serum levels (p < 0.001) prior to delivery. Composite maternal morbidity was similar across the groups. Delivery < 340/7 weeks occurred in 80.6, 49.3, and 22.5% of massive-proteinuria, mild-proteinuria, and nonproteinuria PE groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). Composite adverse neonatal outcomes were significantly higher in the massive-proteinuria PE compared with the other groups (p = 0.001). Conclusion While potentially not important diagnostically, massive proteinuria is associated with more severe clinical manifestations of PE prompting earlier delivery.

Controversies Regarding Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy.

The objective of management of severe hypertension in pregnancy is not for the return of normal blood pressure but rather reduction of blood pressure to a level associated with a decreased risk of end-organ damage including cerebral, cardiac, or renal dysfunction. The parenteral agents labetalol and hydralazine are currently the most widely recommended antihypertensive agents for acute reductions of elevated blood pressure related to preeclampsia. Overcorrection of blood pressure with any antihypertensive agent is possible resulting in reduced uteroplacental blood flow, but is more likely to be encountered in patients <32 weeks' gestation and in those whose fetuses have intrauterine growth retardation.

Center of excellence for placenta accreta.

Placenta accreta spectrum is one of the most morbid conditions obstetricians will encounter. The incidence has dramatically increased in the last 20 years. The major contributing factor to this is believed to be the increase in the rate of cesarean delivery. Despite the increased incidence of placenta accreta, most obstetricians have personally managed only a small number of women with placenta accreta. The condition poses dramatic risk for massive hemorrhage and associated complication such as consumption coagulopathy, multisystem organ failure, and death. In addition, there is an increased risk for surgical complications such as injury to bladder, ureters, and bowel and the need for reoperation. Most women require blood transfusion, often in large quantities, and many require admission to an intensive care unit. As a result of indicated, often emergent preterm delivery, many babies require admission to a neonatal care intensive care unit. Outcomes are improved when delivery is accomplished in centers with multidisciplinary expertise and experience in the care of placenta accreta. Such expertise may include maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic surgery, gynecologic oncology, vascular, trauma and urologic surgery, transfusion medicine, intensivists, neonatologists, interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists, specialized nursing staff, and ancillary personnel. This article highlights the desired features for a center of excellence in placenta accreta, and which patients should be referred for evaluation and/or delivery in such centers.

The influence of gestational weight gain on the development of gestational hypertension in obese women.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the influence of gestational weight gain on the development of gestational hypertension/preeclampsia (GHTN/PE) in women with an obese prepregnancy body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Obese women with a singleton pregnancy enrolled at < 20 weeks were studied. Data were classified according to reported gestational weight gain (losing weight, under-gaining, within target, and over-gaining) from the recommended range of 11 to 9.7 kg and by obesity class (class 1 = BMI 30-34.9 kg/m(2), class 2 = 35-39.9 kg/m(2), class 3 = 40-49.9 kg/m(2), and class 4 ≥ 50 kg/m(2)). Rates of GHTN/PE were compared by weight gain group overall and within obesity class using Pearson chi-square statistics. RESULTS: For the 27,898 obese women studied, rates of GHTN/PE increased with increasing class of obesity (15.2% for class 1 and 32.0% for class 4). The incidence of GHTN/PE in obese women was not modified with weight loss or weight gain below recommended levels. Overall for obese women, over-gaining weight was associated with higher rates of GHTN/PE compared with those with a target rate for obesity classes 1 to 3 (each p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Below recommended gestational weight gain did not reduce the risk for GHTN/PE in women with an obese prepregnancy BMI. These data support a gestational weight gain goal ≤ 9.7 kg in obese gravidas.

Spontaneously conceived pregnancy after 40: influence of age and obesity on outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine pregnancy outcomes of healthy nulliparous women aged ≥ 40 years at delivery. STUDY DESIGN: The study included 53,480 nulliparous women aged 20 to 29 or ≥ 40 years delivering singleton infants, enrolled in a pregnancy risk assessment program between July 1, 2006, and August 1, 2011. Women reporting medical disorders, tobacco use, or conception with assistive reproductive technology were excluded. Data were grouped by body mass (obese or nonobese) and age (20-29 or ≥ 40 years). Pregnancy outcomes were compared within each body mass group for women aged 20 to 29 years versus ≥ 40 years and between obese and nonobese women aged ≥ 40 years. RESULTS: Within each body mass group, nulliparous women aged ≥ 40 years delivered at a significantly lower gestational age and had a greater incidence of cesarean delivery, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and both low and very low birth weight infants, compared with controls aged 20 to 29 years. For women aged ≥ 40 years, obesity was associated with higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION: In healthy women, both advanced maternal age and obesity negatively influence pregnancy outcomes. Women who delay pregnancy until age 40+ years may modify their risk for cesarean section, preterm birth, and low-birth-weight infants by reducing their weight to nonobese levels before conception.