The New Indian Journal of OBGYN 4(1)

A comparative study of intravenous hydralazine versus labetalol in the management of severe hypertension in pregnancy

Shruti Singh, Swati Kochar, Santosh Khajotia, Suman Budania, Anjana

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy as well as safety profile of hydralazine and labetalol in severe hypertension of pregnancy. Methodology: Hundred (100) women with severe pregnancy induced hypertension were randomly allocated into two groups of 50 each. Study group was given intravenous hydralazine and control group was treated with labetalol. The efficacy of two drugs were noted in terms of time taken to achieve target blood pressure, number of doses required and number of patients developing severe persistent hypertension. Results: The average time taken to control blood pressure (BP) in hydralazine group was 32.66 ± 18.79 minutes and 30.70 ± 20.46 minutes in labetalol group and this was statistically significant (p<0.001).There was no statistical difference between the two drugs in terms of efficacy, perinatal outcome and adverse affect except headache which was significantly more in hydralazine group. Conclusion: Both hydralazine and labetalol can be used to treat hypertensive emergencies.