Feasibility and Acceptability of Risk Stratification in the Fourth Trimester to Reduce Maternal Morbidity and Mortality

Feasibility and Acceptability of Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring and Risk Stratification in the Fourth Trimester to Reduce Maternal Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Nigeria

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality globally and are associated with peripartum and future cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart failure, and myocardial infarction. About 1 out of every 10 maternal deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa are associated with HDP, and most of these deaths are preventable with timely, implementation of evidence-based strategies, including postpartum blood pressure (BP) monitoring, treatment of elevated BP and comprehensive postpartum follow up as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

This study aims to contextualize, implement, and evaluate the feasibility, fidelity, and acceptability of: 1) postpartum remote blood pressure monitoring and 2) NTproBNP testing for postpartum risk stratification in women with HDP at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

Aims:

1. To evaluate the feasibility, fidelity, and acceptability of home blood pressure monitoring in postpartum patients (n=90) with HDP. The investigators hypothesize that remote blood pressure monitoring will be feasible, implemented as intended, and acceptable among patients, physicians, and other health care workers to improve awareness and early diagnosis of elevated blood pressures (>140/90 mm Hg) in postpartum patients with HDP.
2. To evaluate the association between N Terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP) levels and short-term cardiovascular outcomes (i.e., all-cause cardiovascular hospital readmission, postpartum pre-eclampsia, hypertensive urgency/emergency, stroke, heart failure/pulmonary edema, seizure and mortality at 12-weeks postpartum) in patients with HDP.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults >18 years of age
• Admitted for delivery
• Clinical diagnosis of HDP (i.e., chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, the HELLP syndrome, or chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia)

Control participants:

• Adults >18 years of age
• Admitted for delivery
• with an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to provide consent
• Unable to check blood pressure at home