A Comparative Study of Intravenous Isradipine and Dihydralazine in the Treatment of Severe Hypertension of Pregnancy in Black Patients

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous isradipine with dihydralazine in severe hypertension of pregnancy in Black patients.Methods: In this randomized study 40 Black patients with severe hypertension of pregnancy (DBP ≥ 110 mm Hg) at a tertiary referral hospital received intravenous isradipine [an initial dose of 0.15μ,g kg-1 min-1 for 15 min with increments of 0.0025 ixg kg-1 min-1 every 15 min until diastolic blood pressure (DBP) control (DBP < 95 mm Hg) was achieved, followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.15 μg kg-1 min-1 which was given for 15 min] or dihydralazine (6.25 mg given intravenously over 10 min; the dosage was repeated after 20 min if control was not achieved).Mean Outcome Measures: DBP < 95 mm Hg; fetal heart rate deceleration; fetal outcome.Results: Mean systolic blood pressure was reduced from 190.9 (95% CI 182.7-199.0) mm Hg to 137.6 (131.9-143.3) mm Hg in the isradipine group and from 187.9 (180.0-195.7) to 142.4 (133.0-151.7) mm Hg in the dihydralazine group. Th...