Nifedipine ER Helps Control BP in Severe Preeclampsia

MONDAY, Oct. 3, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- For individuals with preeclampsia with severe features, extended-release nifedipine reduces the receipt of intrapartum acute hypertensive therapy, according to a study published online Oct. 3 in Hypertension.

Erin M. Cleary, M.D., from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, and colleagues conducted a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving people with preeclampsia with severe features undergoing induction of labor between 22 0/7 and 41 6/7 weeks of gestation. Participants were randomly assigned to oral extended-release nifedipine or identical placebo every 24 hours (55 participants to each).

The researchers found that the primary outcome, defined as receipt of at least one dose of acute hypertension therapy for severe blood pressure (≥160/110 mm Hg) sustained for 10 minutes or longer, occurred in 34.0 and 55.1 percent of those in the nifedipine and placebo groups, respectively (relative risk, 0.62; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.39 to 0.97). Compared with the placebo group, fewer individuals in the nifedipine group required cesarean delivery (20.8 versus 34.7 percent; relative risk, 0.60; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.31 to 1.15). The rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission was lower in the nifedipine versus the placebo group (29.1 versus 47.1 percent; relative risk, 0.62; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.37 to 1.02). There was no difference observed between the groups in a composite of adverse neonatal outcomes (35.8 versus 41.2 percent; relative risk, 0.83; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.51 to 1.37).

"These results warrant strong consideration of this therapy in eligible individuals undergoing induction of labor for preeclampsia with severe features when not already on extended-release nifedipine," the authors write.

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