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Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Women with hypertensive pregnancies are 4× more likely to develop chronic hypertension. Previously, we showed a short period of blood pressure (BP) self-management following hypertensive pregnancy resulted in persistently lower BP after 6 months. We now report the impact on long-term BP control. Women who participated in the postpartum randomized controlled trial, SNAP-HT (Self-Management of Postnatal Hypertension; NCT02333240), were invited for 24-hour ambulatory and clinic BP measures. Height and weight were measured by calibrated scales and standardized tape measures, activity by 7-day wrist-worn accelerometer, and dietary factors assessed by questionnaire. Sixty-one of 70 eligible women were followed up 3.6±0.4 years after their original pregnancy. Twenty-four–hour diastolic BP was 7.0 mm Hg lower in those originally randomized to postpartum BP self-management instead of usual care. This difference remained significant after adjustment for either BP at the time of delivery (−7.4 mm Hg [95% CI, −10.7 to −4.2]; P

Objective To evaluate how English maternity units implemented self-monitoring of blood pressure (SMBP) in pregnancy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Design Mixed methods including surveys, anonymised patient data and in-depth interviews with women. Setting Maternity units across England. Participants 45 maternity units completed a survey about the implementation of SMBP (supported by the provision of guidance and blood pressure monitors) during the pandemic, 166 women completed a survey about their experiences of SMBP, and 23 women took part in in-depth interviews. Clinical data from 627 women undertaking SMBP were available from 13 maternity units. Results SMBP was predominantly used to provide additional BP monitoring for hypertensive or high-risk pregnant women. Overall maternity units and women were positive about its use in terms of reducing the need for additional face-to-face contacts and giving women more control and insight into their own BP. However, there were challenges in setting up SMBP services rapidly and embedding them within existing care pathways, particularly around interpreting readings and managing the provision of monitors. Conclusions A considerable proportion of maternity units in England commenced a SMBP service for hypertensive or high-risk women from March 2020. There is a need for further research into appropriate care pathways, including guidance around white coat or masked hypertension and the use of SMBP postnatally.

Hypertension affects 1 in 10 pregnancies, often persisting postpartum, when antihypertensive requirements may vary substantially. This unmasked, randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility and effects on blood pressure (BP) of self-management of postpartum hypertension. Women with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, requiring postnatal antihypertensive treatment, were randomized to self-management or usual care. Self-management entailed daily home BP monitoring and automated medication reduction via telemonitoring. Women attended 5 follow-up visits during 6 months. The primary outcome was feasibility: specifically recruitment, retention, and compliance with follow-up rates. Secondary outcomes included BP control and safety, analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Forty-nine percent (91/186) of those women approached were randomized (45 intervention, 46 control), and 90% (82/91) finished follow-up. The groups had similar baseline characteristics. After randomization, BP was lower in the intervention group, most markedly at 6 weeks: intervention group mean (SD), systolic 121.6 (8.7)/diastolic 80.5 (6.6) mm Hg; control group, systolic 126.6 (11.0)/diastolic 86.0 (9.7) mm Hg; adjusted differences (95% confidence interval), systolic −5.2 (−9.3 to −1.2)/diastolic −5.8 (−9.1 to −2.5) mm Hg. Diastolic BP remained significantly lower in those self-managing to 6 months: adjusted difference −4.5 (−8.1 to −0.8) mm Hg. This is the first randomized evaluation of BP self-management postpartum and indicates it would be feasible to trial this intervention in larger studies. Self-management resulted in better diastolic BP control to 6 months, even beyond medication cessation. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02333240.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy affect approximately one in ten pregnancies and often persist postpartum. Their postnatal course can be unpredictable and complications may occur, hence control remains important but is informed by little evidence. Clinicians from UK primary and secondary healthcare were invited to complete a survey regarding antihypertensive adjustment postpartum. The response rate was 101/390 (26%). Labetalol was the commonest antihypertensive used. Most participants reported following national guidelines when reducing, although not increasing, antihypertensive medications. The results suggest an unwarranted and unjustifiable variation in management – underlining the evidence gap – additional research is needed to inform the standardisation of care.

Question We performed an initial evaluation of a novel self-management intervention for the titration of antihypertensive therapy by hypertensive women following delivery aiming to assess both feasibility and effect on blood pressure. Methods Postnatal women, with gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia requiring antihypertensive treatment, were randomised to self-management or usual care and attended five follow-up visits over six months. Self-management entailed daily self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) and measurement submission via a mobile phone-based telemonitoring system. The primary outcome was feasibility. A repeated measures mixed-effects regression model was used to analyse differences in BP during follow-up. Results 91 of 188 (48%) women approached were randomised (45 intervention, 46 control), with 9/91 (10%) withdrawals. Amongst the 82 complete cases, 403/410 (98%) follow-up visits were completed. The groups had similar baseline characteristics. BP at follow-up tended to be lower in those self-managing: This was most marked at 6 weeks [adjusted mean differences, self-management lower: systolic BP −5.2 mmHg (−9.3 to −1.2); diastolic BP −5.8 mmHg (−9.1 to −2.5)] and the difference in diastolic readings persisted to six months [−4.5 mmHg (−8.1 to −0.8)] despite all but one woman completing therapy. Conclusions This first randomised controlled evaluation of BP self-management postpartum showed the intervention was feasible and secondary outcome measures indicate that self-management may achieve better BP control; These results support evaluation on a larger scale.

ObjectivesHypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) affect one in ten pregnancies and often persist postpartum when complications can occur. We aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological interventions, other interventions and different care models for postpartum hypertension management.DesignA systematic review was undertaken. Nine electronic databases, including Medline, were searched from inception to 16 March 2017. After duplicate removal, 4561 records were screened. Two authors independently selected studies, extracted study characteristics and data, and assessed methodological quality.SettingRandomised controlled trials, case–control studies and cohort studies from any country and healthcare setting.ParticipantsPostnatal women with HDP.InterventionsTherapeutic intervention for management of hypertension, compared with another intervention, placebo or no intervention.Primary and secondary outcome measuresOutcome data were collected for maternal mortality and severe morbidity; systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure (BP) control; and safety data. Secondary outcome data collected included the length of postnatal hospital stay and laboratory values.Results39 studies were included (n=2901). Results were heterogeneous in terms of intervention, comparison and outcome requiring a narrative approach. There were insufficient data to recommend any single pharmacological intervention. 18 studies reported calcium-channel blockers, vasodilators and beta-blockers lowered BP postpartum. 12 of these reported safety data. Limited data existed regarding management in the weeks following hospital discharge. Neither loop diuretics (three studies) nor corticosteroids (one study) produced clinical benefit. Uterine curettage significantly reduced BP over the first 48 hours postpartum (range 6–13 mm Hg) compared with standard care (eight studies), with safety data only reported by four of eight studies.ConclusionThere was insufficient evidence to recommend a particular BP threshold, agent or model of care, but three classes of antihypertensive appeared variably effective. Further comparative research, including robust safety data, is required. Curettage reduced BP, but without adequate reporting of harms, so it cannot currently be recommended.