The effect of glyceryl trinitrate on hypertension in women with severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) in the management of hypertension in women with preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome.


METHODS
Fifty five women with preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome administered GTN infusion for the management of hypertension were studied. Demographic, clinical, and perinatal outcome findings were collected for analyses. We recorded initial and maintenance doses of GTN, and duration of its use in prepartum and postpartum periods. We collected systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BPs) at admission and before the administration of GTN infusion. During the GTN infusion, we calculated average diastolic and systolic blood pressures 6 hours apart on the first day, 12 hours apart on the second day, and 24 hours apart on the third day.


RESULTS
Of 55 women, 24 with severe preeclampsia, 16 with HELLP syndrome, and 15 with eclampsia were included in this study. In severe preeclampsia group, GTN infusion significantly reduced systolic and diastolic BPs beginning from the second quarter and third quarter, respectively, of first day (p < 0.05). In the HELLP syndrome group, GTN infusion significantly decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressures beginning from the third quarter and second quarter, respectively, of the first day (p < 0.05). In the eclampsia group, GTN infusion significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures beginning from the third quarter and first quarter, respectively, of the first day (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In women with severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome, infusion of GTN can be used as an alternative agent to well-known drugs and causes no significant adverse effect to the mother and fetus.
Cetin
Ali
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cumhuriyet University School of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey. cetin@ttnet.net.tr
Yurtcu
Nazan
N
Guvenal
Tevfik
T
Imir
Ayse Gonca
AG
Duran
Bulent
B
Cetin
Meral
M
D000328:Adult; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003971:Diastole / Q000187:drug effects; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013599:Systole / Q000187:drug effects; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015415:Biomarkers; D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D001663:Bilirubin