Uterine artery Doppler indices throughout gestation in women with and without previous Cesarean deliveries: a prospective longitudinal case-control study.

To determine whether a history of previous Cesarean delivery (CD) impacts uterine artery (UtA) Doppler indices throughout pregnancy. Women with and without CD (NCD) were prospectively enrolled for sequential assessments of the UtA mean/median pulsatility index (UtA-PI), resistance index (UtA-RI), and systolic/diastolic ratio (UtA-S/D) at 11-13 + 6, 14-19 + 6, 30-34 + 6, and 35-37 + 6 weeks' gestation. Data from 269/269, 246/257, 237/254, and 219/242 CD/NCD participants from each gestational period were available for analysis. Multiples of the median (MoMs) of UtA Doppler indices showed biphasic temporal (Δ) pattern; with an initial dropping until the second trimester, then a subsequent elevation until late in pregnancy (p < 0.05). The measurements and Δs of the UtA indices between CD and NCD were not different (p > 0.05). Mixed-effects modelling ruled out effects from nulliparity (n = 0 and 167 for CD and NCD, respectively) (p > 0.05). History of CD neither influenced the measurements nor the temporal changes of the UtA Doppler indices throughout pregnancy. The biphasic Δs of UtA Doppler indices added to the longitudinal data pool, and may aid in future development of a more personalized prediction using sequential/contingent methodologies, which may reduce the false results from the current cross-sectional screening.

Clinical Experiences of Intravenous Hydralazine and Labetalol for Acute Treatment of Severe Hypertension in Pregnant Thai Women.

Response to acute treatment of severe hypertension during pregnancy in Asian women was not known. Labor and delivery checklists of Thai women treated with intravenous hydralazine or labetalol for systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 160 or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 110 mm Hg from January 2011 to December 2013 were reviewed as parts of an audit. Primary outcome was prompt achievement of SBP 140-150 and DBP 90-100 mm Hg after the first bolus. Secondary outcomes were medication-related undesired effects. The mean ± standard deviation age and prevalence of chronic hypertension in hydralazine (n = 62) versus labetalol (n = 64) groups were 32.5 ± 6 versus 29.9 ± 6.8 years and 50% versus 21.9%, respectively (P < .05). Magnesium sulfate was promptly administered on admission to every woman to prevent seizure. Targeted blood pressure was timely achieved in 41.9% and 67.2% of the hydralazine and labetalol groups, respectively (P < .05). Nonreassuring fetal heart rate occurred in 51.6% and 32.8% of the hydralazine and labetalol groups, respectively (P = .05). The prevalence of cesarean section and Apgar score < 7 were not significantly different (P > .05). Real-life clinical experiences suggested significant advantages of intravenous labetalol over hydralazine in pregnant women with severe hypertension.