Hypertension in pregnancy

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases in pregnancy are increasing, and account for the majority of pregnancy-induced maternal deaths. Among them, hypertensive disorders are the most frequent, affecting 6–8% of all pregnancies. More severe forms, like preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, represent serious complications and are associated with far-reaching consequences for mother and child, such as stillbirth, peripartum cardiomyopathy, diastolic heart failure, eclampsia and a long-term increased risk for cardiovascular disease. While risk factors such as obesity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, twin pregnancy, multiparity, advanced age of the mother, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) are well known, the exact pathophysiology of preeclampsia has still not been precisely clarified. Therefore, specific treatment options are limited, also in part due to the challenge of performing clinical trials in pregnant women. The present review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge and summarises treatment strategies and therapy options.