Blood Pressure Goals and Treatment in Pregnant Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

As the age of pregnant women and prevalence of obesity and diabetes are increasing, so is the prevalence of medical disorders during pregnancy, particularly hypertension and the associated CKD. Pregnancy can worsen kidney function in women with severe disease, and hypertension puts them at risk for pre-eclampsia and the associated complications. There are no specific guidelines for hypertension management in this population, and tight control will not prevent pre-eclampsia. Women with end-stage kidney disease should be placed on intense dialysis regimens to improve obstetric outcomes, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are best avoided. This article will review the rationale for a management plan that includes a multidisciplinary team to discuss risks and develop a plan before conception, antepartum monitoring for maternal and fetal morbidity, individualization of medical management using medications with established records during pregnancy, and balancing the level of blood pressure control proved to protect kidney function against the potential effects that aggressive blood pressure control could have on the fetal-placental unit.