The CHIPS (Control of Hypertension in Pregnancy Study) trial compared tight versus less-tight control of non-severe hypertension in pregnancy. The primary finding influencing current practice was:

• A Tight control (target diastolic <85 mmHg) significantly reduced preterm birth compared to less-tight control
• B Tight control was associated with lower rates of superimposed pre-eclampsia
• C Both strategies showed equivalent maternal and fetal outcomes with no significant differences
• D Less-tight control (target diastolic <100 mmHg) resulted in similar serious perinatal outcomes but more severe maternal hypertension ✓

Explanation

The CHIPS trial demonstrated that less-tight control (target diastolic <100 mmHg) was not superior to tight control (target <85 mmHg) in serious perinatal outcomes, but less-tight control was associated with significantly higher rates of severe maternal hypertension. This supported recommending treatment of non-severe hypertension to a target around 80–85 mmHg diastolic to protect the mother without compromising the fetus. Tight control did not reduce superimposed pre-eclampsia risk in this trial.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.