title: Role of pre-eclamptic toxaemia or eclampsia in hypertensive women attending cardiac clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia constitute a special high risk group for future hypertension. They require a long term follow up to be able to detect and treat emerging hypertension early enough to prevent complications. Unfortunately, this is not so. This study was undertaken to find out the incidence of history of pre-eclamptic toxaemia (PET) in our female hypertensive patients attending cardiac clinic and to also determine the incidence of complications of hypertension in those with previous history of PET.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty consecutive female hypertensive patients seen in cardiac clinic were recruited. Detailed history including full obstetric and family history was taken. A full clinical examination was done including blood pressure and a search for complications of hypertension. Findings were then analyzed and various frequencies determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-nine patients were studied. The mean age was 47.29 +/- 11.46 years. The mean SBP, DBP and MAP were 143.18 +/- 25.05, 90.49 +/- 14.19 and 108.12 +/- 16.71 mmHg respectively. Between the last child birth and the time of established hypertension in those who had PET ranged from 3-25 years. Sixteen, (32.7%) of the 49 patients had history of PET and 7(43.75%) of these 16 patients had complications of hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of history of PET in our female hypertensive patients attending cardiac clinic is significant (32.7%). Also the 43.8% incidence of complications of hypertension seen in those patients with history of PET in this study is high. PET patients, therefore, constitute a special risk group for future hypertension. Therefore collaboration between the Obstetricians and the Cardiologists is important for patients with PET and eclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria. oyatialbert@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Albert Imhoagene
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Oyati
authors.forename: Solomon Sulei
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Danbauchi
authors.forename: Mohammed Sani
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Isa
authors.forename: Mohammed Ahmed
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alhassan
authors.forename: Bala Garko
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Sani
authors.forename: Chinasaokwu Amajuoyi
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Anyiam
authors.forename: Istifanus Bala
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Bosan
authors.forename: Samuel Olorunfemi
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors