Chronic hypertension (CHTN) is the most common major medical disorder complicating pregnancies. CHTN increases the risk of superimposed preeclampsia, adverse perinatal outcomes (fetal or neonatal death, preterm birth, poor fetal growth and placental abruption), and other adverse maternal outcomes (death, cerebrovascular accident, pulmonary edema and acute renal failure). Mild CHTN (BP <160/105-110) contributes to a large proportion of these adverse outcomes. While antihypertensive treatment of CHTN is recommended in the general population, prior to the CHAP trial it was uncertain whether treatment of CHTN in pregnancy would safely reduce the risk of maternal and/or fetal complications. Therefore, the purpose of the CHAP trial was to evaluate whether a blood pressure treatment strategy during pregnancy to achieve lower targets (<140/90 mmHg), compared to recommended standard therapy during pregnancy (no treatment unless BP is severe), is effective and safe. The study demonstrated that treating preexisting mild CHTN in pregnancy is safe for both mother and child, with both longer-term maternal and child evaluations currently ongoing.
- 61 sites
- 2408 participants randomized
- Parallel RCT
- NHLBI funded, NCT: NCT02299414
- Website: http://chap.obgyn.uab.edu/