Relationship between serum uric acid, nocturnal hypertension and risk for preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies.

To analyze the possible association between serum uric acid (SUA) and nocturnal hypertension and to evaluate the ability of these variables (alone or in combination) to predict preeclampsia (PE) we conducted a historical cohort study in 532 high-risk pregnancies. Women were divided according to SUA values and nocturnal blood pressure (BP) into four groups: 1- normal SUA and nocturnal normotension; 2- high SUA and nocturnal normotension; 3- normal SUA and nocturnal hypertension and 4- high SUA and nocturnal hypertension. High SUA was defined by the top quartile values and nocturnal hypertension as BP ≥ 120/70 mmHg, using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), during nocturnal rest.

Uncontrolled and masked uncontrolled blood pressure in treated pregnant women with chronic hypertension and risk for preeclampsia/eclampsia.

To analyze the relationship between the level of BP achieved with treatment and the risk for development of preeclampsia/eclampsia (PE), we conducted a historical cohort study on 149 consecutive pregnant women with treated chronic hypertension, evaluated between January 1, 2016, and November 31, 2022. According to office BP readings and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) performed after 20 weeks of gestation, the cohort was classified in controlled hypertension, white-coat uncontrolled hypertension, masked uncontrolled hypertension and sustained hypertension. Risks for the development of PE were estimated using logistic regression.

Do antihypertensive drugs combinations in single-pill combination improve cardiovascular outcomes?

Recommendations and guidelines propose to combine antihypertensive drugs to improve BP control, highlighting the advantages of single-pill combinations (SPCs) to improve treatment adherence. It is speculated that, compared with free-dose combinations (Free-DCs), SPC should achieve a reduction in cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality through better adherence and BP control. However, there is little information in this regard.

Hypertension arising after 20 weeks of gestation: gestational hypertension or masked chronic hypertension?

The objectives of this study were 1-to evaluate the prevalence of masked chronic hypertension in pregnant women classified as gestational hypertension 2-to compare the risks of developing preeclampsia in true gestational hypertension vs those women classified as having gestational hypertension but who had had masked hypertension in the first half of pregnancy. We conducted a cohort study in consecutive high-risk pregnancies who were evaluated before 20 weeks of gestation. Women who developed gestational hypertension (normotension in the office before 20 weeks of gestation and office BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg and/or antihypertensive treatment in the second half of gestation) were divided, according to an ABPM performed before 20 weeks of pregnancy, in two subgroups: subgroup 1-if their ABPM was normal, and subgroup 2-if they had masked chronic hypertension.

Masked hypertension and neonatal outcome in high-risk pregnancies.

We previously showed that masked hypertension is a frequent finding in high-risk pregnancies and a strong predictor of preeclampsia/eclampsia. However, neonatal consequences of masked hypertension have not been deeply analyzed. Consequently, the aim of this study was to determine if masked hypertension is a risk factor for poor neonatal outcome.