The optimal dosage of ketanserin for patients with severe hypertension in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the optimal dosage of ketanserin in the treatment of severe hypertension in pregnancy.


METHODS
A double blind prospective randomised controlled trail, comparing 10 mg ketanserin given as intravenous boluses either every 10 or 20 min, until the therapeutic goal of 90 mmHg (diastolic blood pressure) was reached, to a maximum of eight boluses. Main outcome measures were treatment failures and caesarean sections for fetal distress.


RESULTS
There was no difference in reaching the therapeutic goal between patients receiving 10 mg ketanserin either every 10 or 20 min.


CONCLUSIONS
Ketanserin appears to be an attractive medicine in the treatment of severe hypertension in pregnancy, but the optimal dosage could not be established.
van Schie
Debby L
DL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. dl_van_schie@hotmail.com
de Jeu
Renate M
RM
Steyn
D Wilhelm
DW
Odendaal
Hein J
HJ
van Geijn
Herman P
HP
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007650:Ketanserin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007650:Ketanserin