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Am J Perinatol 2019; 36(02): 161-168
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1666976
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy: New Concepts for Classification and Management

Khalil M. Chahine
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
,
Baha M. Sibai
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

21 February 2018

03 June 2018

Publication Date:
09 July 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Chronic hypertension in pregnancy is traditionally classified according to degree of blood pressure (BP) elevation. Alternatively, stratifying women as high or low risk based on the etiology of hypertension, baseline work-up, and comorbid medical conditions will better inform clinicians about thresholds to initiate antihypertensive therapy, target BPs, frequency of antepartum visits, and timing of delivery. Women classified as high-risk chronic hypertension as described here require stricter BP management and more frequent follow-up visits as their associated rates of adverse maternal and/or fetal/neonatal outcomes appear higher than women classified as low-risk chronic hypertension. The latter group can in most cases be managed similarly to the general obstetric population.

Keywords

chronic hypertension in pregnancy - high-risk chronic hypertension - low-risk chronic hypertension - management of chronic hypertension - classification - chronic hypertension
 

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