Role of pre-eclamptic toxaemia or eclampsia in hypertensive women attending cardiac clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria.
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.
Oyati
Albert Imhoagene
AI
Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria. oyatialbert@yahoo.com
Danbauchi
Solomon Sulei
SS
Isa
Mohammed Sani
MS
Alhassan
Mohammed Ahmed
MA
Sani
Bala Garko
BG
Anyiam
Chinasaokwu Amajuoyi
CA
Bosan
Istifanus Bala
IB
David
Samuel Olorunfemi
SO
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