Jaweria Faisal, Zeba Munzar, Tooba Riaz, Nusrat Junjua.
Comparison of hydralazine and nifedipine for severe hypertension in pregnancy.
Isra Med J Jan ;9(1):03-8.

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy and safety of Hydralazine and Nifedipine in management of hypertension in pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: A Randomized control trial. st st PLACE AND DURATION: Mother and Child Health Unit II, PIMS, Islamabad, from 1 January 2007 to 1 July 2007. METHODOLOGY: Sixty patients of hypertension beyond 28 weeks of gestation were recruited for study after informed consent. The registered subjects were randomly allocated to Hydralazine group and Nifedipine group by using random number table. Blood pressure was checked in supine position on right arm before initiating treatment and thereafter checked at ½ hour, 1 hour, 1½ hour and 2 hours. Patients were observed for side effects of drugs. RESULTS: The mean initial Blood pressure was 170/113 mmHg. Time for effective control of systolic BP was 1 hour in Nifedipine group and 1 ½ in Hydralazine group. Time taken for control of diastolic BP was same in both groups i.e. 1 hour. The mean prolongation of pregnancy was 4.5 days in Nifedipine group and 2 days in Hydralazine group with a significant difference of p value .02. Fewer doses were required in Nifedipine group. Hydralazine was more associated with palpitation (56%), flushing (56%), persistent Hypertension (HTN) (16.7%) and tachycardia > 110 bpm (20%). There was no significant difference in other variables measuring fetomaternal outcome except that Nifedipine caused headache in 73% patients after drug administration. CONCLUSION: Nifedipine is more effective for control of Hypertension (HTN) in pregnancy.

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