THE ROLE OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS IN PATIENTS WITH PREECLAMPSIA ANDHOW TO PREVENT IT: A REVIEW ARTICLE

Treatment of hypertension in pregnancy, such as preeclampsia (PE), remains a challenging issue with adverse short and long-term implications for both of mother and baby. Screening for preeclampsia at 11-13 weeks' gestation with a combination of maternal demographic characteristics and medical history with measurements of biomarker can identify about 75% of women who develop premature preeclampsia with delivery at <37 weeks' gestation and 90% of those with early preeclampsia. Preeclampsia at <32 weeks has a 10% positive screen rate. Another major concern from administering Antihypertensive drugs during pregnancy is the potential adverse effects on the fetus. Some Antihypertensive drugs that are often used are methyldopa, hydralazine, labetalol, and nifedipine. The use of aspirin is often associated with a decrease in the prevention of early preeclampsia but must be accompanied by adherence to medication use, the use of aspirin can be combined with heparin. There is also a new combination from recent studies on the use of furosemide and nifedipine in preeclampsia.