Effect of blood pressure control in early pregnancy and clinical outcomes in African American women with chronic hypertension.

Objective: Chronic hypertension (cHTN) affects 3-5% of all pregnancies and is twice as prevalent in African American (AA) women. AA women develop more severe HTN at an earlier onset and have higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Blood pressure control during pregnancy is controversial.

Severe antepartum hypertension and associated peripartum morbidity among pregnant women in an urban tertiary care medical center.

Objectives: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Although acute severe hypertension carries with it a poor prognosis, treatment is often delayed and not universal.

Study Design: A total of 654 patients were assessed for the impact of hypertensive disorders of pregnancies on maternal and fetal morbidity and divided into three groups: normotensive (Group I, N = 306), non-severe hypertension (Group II, N = 248) and severe-range hypertension with blood pressure (BP) episodes ≥160 systolic or ≥105 diastolic (Group III, N = 100).

Understanding and comparing practices of managing patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in urban China and the United States.

Objectives: To describe patient outcomes, management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and evaluate provider knowledge of practice guidelines at a tertiary care center in urban China.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review of patients admitted between September 2017 and March 2018 with a diagnosis of any hypertensive disorder at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Medical Center in China. Healthcare providers including physicians, midwives, nurses and medical students were surveyed.

Angiogenic Factor Estimation as a Warning Sign of Preeclampsia-Related Peripartum Morbidity Among Hospitalized Patients.

Preeclampsia-related morbidity and mortality is rising predominantly because of delayed identification of patients at risk for preeclampsia with severe features and associated complications. This study explored the association between angiogenic markers (sFlt1 [soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1]) and PlGF [placental growth factor]) and preeclampsia-related peripartum complications. Normotensive women or those with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were enrolled.

Association of antepartum blood pressure levels and angiogenic profile among women with chronic hypertension.

Background: Angiogenic factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. This pilot study explored the association between antenatal blood pressure levels and angiogenic biomarkers (sFlt1 and PlGF) among women with chronic hypertension (cHTN).

Methods: Blood samples were collected from women with cHTN (with/without superimposed preeclampsia) within 96 h prior to delivery.

Spontaneous Adrenal Hemorrhage in Pregnancy: A Case Series.

. Abdominal pain during pregnancy has a broad differential diagnosis which includes spontaneous adrenal hemorrhage (SAH). There is scant literature available on optimal mode of delivery in stable patients.