Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring during pregnancy: an Italian experience

Abstract

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring during pregnancy: an Italian experience F.Fabbian1,5, A. Coppola2, R. Cappadona2, A. De Giorgi1, S. Fanaro3, E. Di Simone4, R. Manfredini1,5, P.Greco2, M. A. Rodríguez Borrego5, P. J. López Soto5 1Department of Medical Sciences, Hypertension Center and Clinica Medica Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, University Hospital St. Anna, Ferrara 2Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, University Hospital St. Anna, Ferrara 3Department of Medical Sciences, Pediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, University Hospital St. Anna, Ferrara 4General Medicine, University Hospital St. Anna, Ferrara (Italy) 5Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research in Córdoba, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of Córdoba (Spain) Summary Objective: To describe the impact of a collaborative Italian diagnostic pathway offering ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) in High Risk Antenatal Clinic (HRAC) pregnant women. The study included 395 pregnant women evaluated at HRAC between 2012 and 2016, while analyzing demographic, clinical characteristics, and prescription of ABPM. Pregnant women were firstly seen when gestational age was 19.6 ± 9.6 weeks. In at least one-third of cases, ABPM was followed by medical intervention aiming to modify the pre-existing therapeutic treatment. Hypertension and overweight were the main reasons for performing ABPM. WCH: white-coat hypertension.Key words: High risk antenatal clinic; Pregnancy; Hypertension; Obesity; Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.