Hypertension across a Woman's lifespan.

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease in women. Both traditional and sex-specific risk modifiers occurring from menarche to pregnancy to menopause modulate the risk of hypertension and adverse cardiovascular events. This review provides a narrative summary of risk and treatment of hypertension in women across the lifespan, from adolescence to the post-menopausal period, where each period represents a potential window for risk assessment, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment. Management of hypertension throughout a woman's life must be included in a holistic cardiovascular prevention approach for women in order to prevent future cardiovascular complications.

Oxygen Therapy and Risk of Infection for Health Care Workers Caring for Patients With Viral Severe Acute Respiratory Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the evidence regarding the infection risk associated with different modalities of oxygen therapy used in treating patients with severe acute respiratory infection. Health care workers face significant risk of infection when treating patients with a viral severe acute respiratory infection. To ensure health care worker safety and limit nosocomial transmission of such infection, it is crucial to synthesize the evidence regarding the infection risk associated with different modalities of oxygen therapy used in treating patients with severe acute respiratory infection. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from January 1, 2000, to April 1, 2020, for studies describing the risk of infection associated with the modalities of oxygen therapy used for patients with severe acute respiratory infection. The study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed by independent reviewers. The primary outcome measure was the infection of health care workers with a severe acute respiratory infection. Random-effect models were used to synthesize the extracted data. RESULTS: Of 22,123 citations, 50 studies were eligible for qualitative synthesis and 16 for meta-analysis. Globally, the quality of the included studies provided a very low certainty of evidence. Being exposed or performing an intubation (odds ratio 6.48; 95% confidence interval 2.90 to 14.44), bag-valve-mask ventilation (odds ratio 2.70; 95% confidence interval 1.31 to 5.36), and noninvasive ventilation (odds ratio 3.96; 95% confidence interval 2.12 to 7.40) were associated with an increased risk of infection. All modalities of oxygen therapy generate air dispersion. CONCLUSION: Most modalities of oxygen therapy are associated with an increased risk of infection and none have been demonstrated as safe. The lowest flow of oxygen should be used to maintain an adequate oxygen saturation for patients with severe acute respiratory infection, and manipulation of oxygen delivery equipment should be minimized.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Women With Previous Pregnancy Complications.

BACKGROUND: Women with previous cardiometabolic complications of pregnancy experience double the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, few data exist on the clinical effect of these complications at the time of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The objective of this work was to compare risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes among women with premature ACS with or without previous pregnancy complications (gestational diabetes and/or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy). METHODS: Data were obtained from a multicentre cohort of individuals hospitalized with premature ACS. A total of 251 parous women were included and provided obstetric history and blood samples. They were followed for the development of major adverse cardiac events at 12 months. RESULTS: At presentation with ACS, women with a previous pregnancy complication (38%) were slightly younger than were women without such complications (47.4 ± 6.2 vs 49.1 ± 5.6 years; P = 0.002). They also had more traditional atherosclerotic risk factors. Specifically, women with previous preeclampsia were more likely to have chronic hypertension and an elevated ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase:placental growth factor. There was no between-group difference in Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score or troponin tertile but there was a trend toward higher risk of ST-elevation myocardial infarction in women who had a previous pregnancy complication (odds ratio, 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-3.23; P = 0.05). There was also an increased risk of recurrent ACS at 12 months in women with previous preeclampsia (hazard ratio, 6.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-33.63; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Among a cohort of women with ACS, previous pregnancy complications were associated with more severe disease and poorer outcome.

Markers of Vascular Dysfunction After Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Women with prior hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are at twice the risk of cardiovascular disease compared with women with prior normotensive pregnancy, possibly because of sustained vascular dysfunction after delivery. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize evidence of vascular dysfunction at least 3 months after HDP. Articles in all languages were retrieved from principal databases. Studies included were observational, with HDP as the main exposure and measurements of vascular dysfunction via imaging modalities or serum biomarkers as the main outcome, assessed at least 3 months postpartum. We pooled results of modalities reported in >3 studies using a random effects model. Of 6109 potentially relevant studies, 72 were included that evaluated 10 imaging modalities and 11 serum biomarkers in 8702 women. There was evidence of vascular dysfunction in women post HDP compared with women with prior normal pregnancy when measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (0.64 m/s [0.17-1.11]), carotid intima-media thickness (0.025 mm [0.004-0.045]), and augmentation index (5.48% [1.58-9.37]), as well as mean levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (6.12 pg/mL [1.91-10.33]). Between-groups differences in measures of vascular dysfunction were more pronounced when assessments were performed in younger women (<40 years) or closer to the index pregnancy for almost all modalities. In conclusion, pooled data from studies evaluating vascular imaging suggest that some vascular dysfunction persists after HDP as compared with women with prior normal pregnancy.

Pituitary apoplexy in pregnancy: A case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Severe headache during pregnancy is a challenging condition that may rarely imply endocrine disturbances. Rapid recognition of pituitary apoplexy is needed to improve pregnancy outcome. OBJECTIVE: To review and compare maternal and fetal outcomes after pituitary apoplexy. METHODS: Four cases of pituitary apoplexy during pregnancy in our centre are reported and literature review covering the past 54 years was performed. RESULTS: In the four cases presented and the 33 reported in the literature, most women presented with severe headaches and systemic symptoms. Overall, 42% were treated surgically, 31% received bromocriptine or cabergoline and 61% were given hormone replacement. No major obstetrical complication was reported and all babies were healthy. CONCLUSION: Pituitary apoplexy is a rare cause of sudden and severe headache during pregnancy. Rapid identification of this condition with potentially associated endocrine disturbances is important to ensure maternal and fetal well-being. A multidisciplinary team approach seems to reduce morbidity and mortality.

The effects of ursodeoxycholic acid treatment for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes: a meta-analysis including non-randomized studies.

OBJECTIVE: The benefits of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) use for treating intra-hepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) remain uncertain. A 2010 Cochrane Review of randomized control trials was unable to recommend either for or against the use of UDCA in treating ICP. We conducted a meta-analysis of the literature, including both non-randomized studies (NRSs) and RCTs. The objective of the study was to determine if patients included in NRSs were comparable to those in RCTs, and to determine whether the inclusion of NRSs could strengthen the available evidence and guide clinical practice on UDCA use in women with ICP. DATA SOURCES: We searched Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), EMB Reviews, Cinahl (Ebsco), and Web of Knowledge (Thomson Reuters) for articles published from 1966 to June 2012. STUDY SELECTION: We included all eligible RCTs of UDCA versus placebo or other treatments, and all NRSs comparing UDCA with any other treatment in women with ICP. DATA SYNTHESIS: We included 11 RCTs (n = 625 pregnancies) and six NRSs (n = 211 pregnancies). The women included in RCTs and NRSs were comparable, but study quality was poorer for NRSs. Overall, women treated with UDCA had decreased pruritus in 73% of RCTs and in 100% of NRSs with available data. Liver function tests were improved in 82% of RCTs and in 100% of NRSs with available data. UDCA use did not affect the Caesarean section rate, but was associated with less prematurity, less use of neonatal intensive care units (data available in only 3/17 studies), and trends towards increased birth weight and decreased meconium staining. There were 0/356 stillbirths with UDCA and 3/399 stillbirths with comparator. CONCLUSION: UDCA treatment should be recommended for women with ICP to reduce adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.

Objectif : Les avantages de l'utilisation d'acide ursodésoxycholique (AUDC) pour la prise en charge de la cholestase intrahépatique de la grossesse (CIG) demeurent incertains. Une analyse Cochrane de 2010 ayant porté sur des essais comparatifs randomisés n'a pas été en mesure de se prononcer pour ou contre l'utilisation d'AUDC pour la prise en charge de la CIG. Nous avons mené une méta-analyse de la littérature, en englobant tant les études non randomisées (ENR) que les ECR. Nous avions pour objectif de déterminer si les patientes ayant participé aux ENR étaient comparables à celles qui avaient participé aux ECR; nous avions également pour objectif de déterminer si l'inclusion des ENR pouvait renforcer les données probantes disponibles et orienter la pratique clinique quant à l'utilisation d'AUDC chez les femmes qui présentent une CIG. Sources de données : Nous avons mené des recherches dans Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), EMB Reviews, Cinahl (Ebsco) et Web of Knowledge (Thomson Reuters) en vue d'en tirer les articles publiés entre 1966 et juin 2012. Sélection des études : Nous avons inclus tous les ECR admissibles ayant comparé l'AUDC à un placebo ou à d'autres traitements et toutes les ENR ayant comparé l'AUDC à tout autre traitement chez des femmes présentant une CIG. Synthèse des données : Nous avons inclus 11 ECR (n = 625 grossesses) et six ENR (n = 211 grossesses). Bien que les femmes ayant participé aux ECR et aux ENR aient été comparables, la qualité des études était plus faible dans le cas des ENR. De façon générale, les femmes traitées à l'AUDC ont connu une atténuation du prurit dans 73 % des ECR et dans 100 % des ENR disposant de données disponibles. Les épreuves de fonction hépatique ont présenté une amélioration dans 82 % des ECR et dans 100 % des ENR disposant de données disponibles. Bien que l'utilisation d'AUDC n'ait pas affecté le taux de césarienne, elle a été associée à une prématurité moindre, à une utilisation moindre des unités néonatales de soins intensifs (données disponibles pour seulement trois des 17 études) et à des tendances à l'augmentation du poids de naissance et à l'atténuation de la teinte méconiale du liquide amniotique. Aucune mortinaissance n'a été constatée dans le cadre de 356 grossesses ayant fait l'objet d'un traitement à l'AUDC et trois mortinaissances ont été constatées dans le cadre de 399 grossesses ayant fait l'objet d'un traitement au moyen d'un agent de comparaison. Conclusion : Le traitement à l'AUDC devrait être recommandé aux femmes qui présentent une CIG en vue d'atténuer les issues indésirables maternelles et fœtales.

Hepatic rupture in hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Rupture of hepatic hematoma associated with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome is a catastrophic complication of pregnancy. Maternal and fetal mortality rates are still high despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to present our experience at two referral centers for hepatic disease and to compare it with cases from the literature. METHODS: We reviewed nine cases that occurred over the past 6 years in our centers and made an extensive literature review covering the past 10 years. We reviewed and compared multiple outcomes for all these cases. RESULTS: The median maternal age of our patients was 29 years (interquartile range 27-32). Embolization treatment was used with seven of nine (78%) of our patients compared with 5 of 88 (6%) in the literature (P<.001). Our maternal and fetal mortality rates were 0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0-34%) and 30% (95% CI 7-65%), respectively, compared with 17% (95% CI 10-26%) and 38% (95% CI 31-52%]) from our review of the literature from 2000 to 2010. CONCLUSION: The use of hepatic artery embolization to address hepatic rupture associated with HELLP syndrome may help minimize morbidity and maternal mortality.