PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION;

ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE THERAPY IN A STUDY USING SINGLE DRUG VERSUS MULTIPLE DRUGS

Abstract

Objective: To assess the stress response in severe pregnancy induced hypertensive patients on different drug regimen during preoperative and postoperative period. Sample size: 40 patients. Study Design: Comparative study. Place: CMH Kharian and WT Obgyne (Pvt) Ltd.
Multan. Duration: June 2004 to January 2005. Patients and Methods: 40 patients of severe pregnancy
induced hypertensives were induced in this study. 20 patients were placed on a single standard antihypertensive
i.e. alpha methyldopa and 20 were put on a combination of alpha methyldopa with long acting
nifedipine or amlodipine. Both these groups underwent caesarean section. The stress response in both these
groups was carefully analyzed and compared with a special note on any untoward effect on the mother or
fetus. Results: The results from this trial clearly demonstrated that patients on combined drug therapy
showed better stress response during perioperative and postoperative period. Conclusion: In severe PIH
patients undergoing caesarean section good feto-maternal outcome was obtained on combination
antihypertensive drug therapy as compared to patients receiving single anti-hypertensive drug.