Cardiovascular

Hypertension During Pregnancy

August 2000

Clinical Focus*

• What is appropriate management of women with chronic hypertension before pregnancy?
• Do antihypertensive agents for the treatment of mild to moderate chronic hypertension (< 170/110 mmHg) during pregnancy improve maternal and perinatal outcomes? Are there subsets of women, such as those with diabetes or renal disease, for whom treatment of mild to moderate chronic hypertension during pregnancy is warranted?
• Is pharmacological treatment of mild to moderate chronic hypertension during pregnancy harmful to mothers, fetuses, and infants? If harmful, what is the type and magnitude of specific harm for mothers, fetuses, or infants?
• Are particular antihypertensive agents more effective or harmful than others in treating mild to moderate chronic hypertension during pregnancy?
• Does nonpharmacological treatment of mild to moderate chronic hypertension during pregnancy improve maternal and perinatal outcomes?
• Is nonpharmacological treatment as efficacious as pharmacological treatment to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with chronic hypertension?
• Does a combination of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment improve maternal and perinatal outcomes over either treatment alone?
• What is an appropriate blood pressure level at which to treat chronic hypertension during pregnancy and when should therapy be initiated? What is an appropriate blood pressure level at which to maintain treatment?
• Is aspirin beneficial in preventing maternal and fetal complications in pregnant women with mild to moderate chronic hypertension?
• Is the use of special fetal monitoring techniques and strategies beneficial or harmful to mothers and fetuses? Are there particular subsets of women for whom special monitoring techniques are warranted?

*Addressed in the summary or evidence report.

Management of Chronic Hypertension During Pregnancy
Summary (Publication No. 00-E010, August 2000)
Evidence Report (Publication No. 00-E011, August 2000)
(File Download)

EPC: University of Texas HSC
Topic Nominator: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Return to Quick Menu: Evidence Report Topics
Return to Evidence-based Practice