Clinical Experiences of Intravenous Hydralazine and Labetalol for Acute Treatment of Severe Hypertension in Pregnant Thai Women.

Response to acute treatment of severe hypertension during pregnancy in Asian women was not known. Labor and delivery checklists of Thai women treated with intravenous hydralazine or labetalol for systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 160 or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 110 mm Hg from January 2011 to December 2013 were reviewed as parts of an audit. Primary outcome was prompt achievement of SBP 140-150 and DBP 90-100 mm Hg after the first bolus. Secondary outcomes were medication-related undesired effects. The mean ± standard deviation age and prevalence of chronic hypertension in hydralazine (n = 62) versus labetalol (n = 64) groups were 32.5 ± 6 versus 29.9 ± 6.8 years and 50% versus 21.9%, respectively (P < .05). Magnesium sulfate was promptly administered on admission to every woman to prevent seizure. Targeted blood pressure was timely achieved in 41.9% and 67.2% of the hydralazine and labetalol groups, respectively (P < .05). Nonreassuring fetal heart rate occurred in 51.6% and 32.8% of the hydralazine and labetalol groups, respectively (P = .05). The prevalence of cesarean section and Apgar score < 7 were not significantly different (P > .05). Real-life clinical experiences suggested significant advantages of intravenous labetalol over hydralazine in pregnant women with severe hypertension.