Key result
Maternal weight ≥84.5 kg before delivery was associated with an increased risk of de novo postpartum hypertension in normotensive women (RR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2-5.8; p=0.017).
Why the study?
Blood pressure patterns in the immediate postpartum period needed to be determined in preeclampsia with severe features and normotensive pregnant women undergoing cesarean deliveries.
What are the postpartum blood pressure patterns in women with severe preeclampsia compared to normotensive women following cesarean delivery?
Cohort (n=140)
What are the postpartum blood pressure patterns in women with severe preeclampsia compared to normotensive women following cesarean delivery?
p-value: p=<0.001
Following cesarean delivery, blood pressure increases continuously from postpartum days 1 to 3 in both severe preeclampsia and normotensive women, with nearly a quarter of normotensive women developing de novo postpartum hypertension.
May warrant closer postpartum BP monitoring in heavier normotensive women; leaves open prospective validation of weight-based risk stratification.
Objective: To determine blood pressure (BP) patterns in the immediate postpartum period in preeclampsia with severe features (sPE) and normotensive pregnant women who had cesarean deliveries (CD).Study design: The BP levels of two groups comprising 50 sPE and 90 normotensive pregnant women who had CD were measured before delivery and on days 0–3 postpartum at four time points (05:00, 08:00, 14:00, and 22:00). Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PIGF) were measured in the maternal serum ≤48 h before delivery.Results: Antihypertensive therapy was administered to 98, 96, 82, 78, and 56% of sPE antepartum and on postpartum days 0–3, respectively. De novo postpartum hypertension (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg) occurred in 24.4% (22/90) of the normotensive group but only one required antihypertensive therapy. The occurrence of de novo postpartum hypertension was associated with maternal weight before delivery ≥ 84.5 kg (relative risks (RR) 2.6, CI 95% 1.2–5.8, p = .017), and body mass index before delivery ≥ 33.3 kg/m2 (RR 2.9, CI 95% 1.3–6.4, p = .008). In sPE, the BP decreased between predelivery period and postpartum day 0. From days 1 to 3 postpartum, there was a continuous increase in the daily mean BPs in both groups, with average daily increments (systolic/diastolic) being 5.6/4.6 mmHg and 0.6/1.3 mmHg in the sPE and normotensive women, respectively. Patient’s group and time had a significant effect on BP, p < .001. Overall, daily mean BPs were higher in the sPE than the normotensive group (p < .001). Perceived stress (p = .022), low birth weight (p = .002), 5 min Apgar score ≤ 6 (p < .001) were significantly higher in the sPE group. sFlt-1/PIGF ratio was high in the hypertensive groups: sPE versus normotensive group, p < .001; de novo postpartum hypertension versus normotensives group that remained normotensive, p = .102.Conclusion: Postpartum BP and antihypertensive requirements are important considerations in managing sPE and normotensive pregnancies. sPE is associated with increased maternal stress and poor perinatal outcomes.
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Ngene et al. (2019) conducted a cohort in Severe preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy (n=140). Severe preeclampsia vs. Normotensive pregnancy was evaluated on Blood pressure patterns in the immediate postpartum period (p=<0.001). Maternal weight ≥84.5 kg before delivery was associated with an increased risk of de novo postpartum hypertension in normotensive women (RR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2-5.8; p=0.017).
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