title: Survey of healthcare professionals regarding adjustment of antihypertensive medication(s) in the postnatal period in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom. Electronic address: alexandra.cairns@phc.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alexandra E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Cairns
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.affiliation: Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leeson
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mackillop
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McManus
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007741:Labetalol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008880:Midwifery; D009774:Obstetrics; D049590:Postpartum Period; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007741:Labetalol
keywords: Antihypertensive medication; Gestational hypertension; Postpartum; Pre-eclampsia; Pregnancy; Survey