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(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020;223:250.e1–250.e11) Obstetric hypertensive emergency is a serious hypertensive disorder that can complicate pregnancy and lead to maternal death. It is defined as acute-onset and severe high blood pressure (BP) that lasts for 15 minutes or longer.

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020;223:250.e1–11) Approximately 10% of all pregnancies worldwide are complicated by hypertensive disorders. The most serious of the hypertensive spectrum includes hypertensive emergencies, which can be fatal. Criteria of a hypertensive emergency includes persistent (>15 min duration), acute-onset, with systolic blood pressure of greater than or equal to 160 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure of greater than or equal to 110 mm Hg. Obstetric hypertensive emergencies must be treated expeditiously to reduce risks of maternal morbidity or death. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends treatment of hypertensive emergencies within 30-60 minutes of symptom onset in order to reduce risk of maternal stroke. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with delayed treatments and to determine the timely treatment rate for hypertensive emergencies.