Clinical trials of adrenergic antagonists in pregnancy hypertension

Effects of beta 1-adrenoceptor blockade in the treatment of hypertension during pregnancy in diabetic women

The effects of beta 1-blockade were investigated in 18 hypertensive pregnant diabetic women. The same women served as controls, covering a period just before therapy. The blood pressure was reduced in 14 women (p less than 0.01). The change in blood glucose homeostasis was statistically not different from the control period. Insulin doses were not affected. The fetal heart rate was affected by therapy, causing a decrease in baseline rate (p less than 0.05) and in acceleration amplitude (p less than 0.05). Although the incidence of suspect fetal distress, intrauterine growth retardation and preterm delivery was high, all surviving infants had normal Apgar scores at 5 and 10 min. Perinatal mortality consisted of one stillbirth. Except for respiratory problems, the incidence of neonatal complications was low. All survivors were healthy at follow-up. We found beta 1-blockade to be effective and safe in this group of high-risk pregnancies, and suggest it as an alternative for anti-hypertensive therapy in diabetic pregnancy.

Reversed circadian blood pressure rhythm preserves fetal growth in preeclamptic pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical trait of hypertension in pregnant women with a reversed circadian blood pressure (BP) rhythm.

STUDY DESIGN

24-h BP monitoring was performed in 56 hypertensive pregnant women, of whom 12 had a reversed systolic BP (SBP) rhythm (day/night mean BP ratio < 1.0). Clinical data, ultrasound fetometry and umbilical artery velocimetry were compared to that in women with a normal rhythm. Statistical analyses were performed with simple linear regression, Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of variance, contingency table analysis and Fisher's test. A two-tailed P value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

In the reversed SBP group, the nighttime BP, fetal weight, albuminuria and S-urate were higher, and the BP variations smaller. The birthweight correlated negatively to the SBP day/night ratio. Higher SBP day/night ratios and larger BP variations were associated with an increased vascular resistance in the umbilical artery and an impaired growth.

CONCLUSION

A reversed SBP rhythm was associated with a more severe degree of preeclampsia, but also with a smaller BP variation, maintenance of fetal growth, and higher birthweight. A sustained high nighttime BP preserved fetal growth. These novel observations challenge the opinion that a reversed circadian BP rhythm is merely an ominous sign.