Hemodynamic adjusted treatment of hypertension in pregnancy. Part II: Hypotensive drugs.

If in late pregnancy hypertension persists after hypovolemia and disturbances of the microcirculation have been corrected, treatment with hypotensive drugs may be indicated. Because the mode of action of these drugs varies, we tried to put this treatment on a rational basis. Due to the different effects on uteroplacental blood flow and the fetus, only those substances should be used which cause a decrease in total peripheral resistance. In our view the uteroplacental flow increases in spite of the lower pressure level. We could prove these beneficial effects for magnesium sulfate, dihydralazine, diazoxide, and nylidrin. Thus during pregnancy these are the drugs of choice.