[Moderate arterial hypertension in pregnancy: therapeutic aspects]

The treatment of hypertension in pregnancy is justified by the need to reduce blood pressure in order to avoid the onset of preeclampsia, eclampsia, retarded intrauterine growth and even neonatal, perinatal and maternal death. The value of using drugs to treat slight-moderate hypertension in pregnancy is, however, not clearly defined in the literature. In fact, from an etiopathogenetic point of view, the significance of increased blood pressure in pregnancy has not yet been satisfactorily explained, and above all the positive significance of increased blood pressure not be forgotten since, up to diastolic levels of 90 mmHg, it is accompanied by an increase in birth weight. The aim of the present study was to verify the efficacy of pharmacological treatment in cases of slight-moderate hypertension during pregnancy in a population of 121 pregnant women attending the Obstetrics-Gynecological Clinic of the "Istituto per l'Infanzia" in Trieste during the period from 14-11-1984 to 24-4-1991. Data for this retrospective study were extrapolated from an analysis of medical records and then memorized in a data-base file. The degree of hypertension was classified as slight, moderate and severe according to blood pressure levels measured on hospitalisation. Clinical signs taken into account included: edema, proteinuria and hypoprotidemia. Anti-hypertensive therapy was selected between one or more associated drugs belonging to the following classes: central action and peripheral action anti-adrenergic drugs, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators, diuretics, ACE-inhibitors and sedatives. Moreover, patients also received non-pharmacological treatment in the form of low sodium diets and bed-rest.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)