Antoinette C. Bolte, Jim van Eyck, Sharda F. Gaffar, Herman P. van Geijn, Gustaaf A. Dekker
Ketanserin for the treatment of preeclampsia
Objective: To compare maternal and perinatal outcome
with the use of either intravenous ketanserin or dihydralazine
in treatment of women with preeclampsia.
Methods: The records from January 1989 to January
1997 of all patients receiving intravenous ketanserin or
dihydralazine as first line antihypertensive therapy were
reviewed and standardized data forms were completed.
315 charts of patients were identified and evaluated for
effects on blood pressure, laboratory parameters, maternal
and perinatal outcome.
Results: During the study interval 169 patients received
ketanserin and 146 dihydralazine. Significantly fewer
antepartum (27% versus 38%, p = 0.04) and postpartum
(25% versus 39%, p = 0.01) maternal complications
were noted in patients receiving ketanserin. Occurrence
of HELLP syndrome was significantly lower
among patients who received ketanserin (20%) than
among those who received dihydralazine (40%,
p = 0.0001). Side-effects were reported with significantly
higher frequency in patients receiving dihydralazine
(60%) as compared to those receiving ketanserin
(17%, p < 0.0001). Perinatal outcome was comparable,
however, umbilical cord arterial pH values (mean
± SD) were higher with ketanserin compared to dihydralazine
( 7.25 ± 0.07 vs 7.23 ± 0.09, p = 0.038). The
incidence of placental abruption was higher in patients
receiving dihydralazine (5.5%) versus those receiving
ketanserin (0.6%, p = 0.014).
Conclusion: Ketanserin appears to be a better option
than dihydralazine for treatment of severe preeclampsia
since fewer maternal complications and side-effects
were observed in patients receiving ketanserin.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 29, 01/2001
Pages: 14 - 22
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